Effect of protein concentration on kinetic constants (Kd and Bmax) of 3H-imipramine binding in blood platelets.

3H-imipramine binding was studied in the blood platelets of 80 normal controls and 50 depressed (psychotic and nonpsychotic) patients. Protein concentration in the incubation mixture, and Kd and Bmax values were correlated in normal controls and depressed patients. A small but significant correlation between protein in the incubation mixture and Bmax was observed in normal controls and depressed patients. There was also a significant correlation between protein and Kd of imipramine binding in the blood platelets of unipolar psychotic depressed patients. However, analysis of covariance to remove the effect of protein on Kd and Bmax did not change the basic finding of decreased Bmax in the blood platelets of psychotic depressed patients.