CLINICAL-STUDIES OF THE EFFECT OF (+) AND (-)-OXAPROTILINE UPON NORADRENALINE UPTAKE

In 6 normal male subjects the mydriatic effect of tyramine eye drops was inhibited by 1 day''s treatment with desipramine and the (+)- but not the (-)-enantiomer of oxaprotiline. In the same experiment, the secretion of melatonin was increased after treatment with (+)- but not with (-)-oxaprotiline. The effects of (+)-oxaprotiline and of desipramine treatment were similar, as were those of (-)-oxaprotiline and placebo. These findings extend to clinical studies the demonstration in animal experiments of stereo-specificity for the effects of (+)- and (-)-oxaprotiline upon noradrenaline (norepinephrine) uptake. A comparison of the effects of the 2 enantiomers should provide an ideal strategy for studying effects of noradrenaline uptake blockade in clinical studies.