Effects of desipramine and yohimbine on alpha 2- and beta-adrenoreceptor sensitivity.

The effects of yohimbine on desipramine-induced adrenoreceptor alterations were examined in murine limbic forebrain areas. Treatment with both drugs in combination resulted in a significant decrease in [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding, which was not manifest after treatment with either drug alone. Moreover, co-administration of yohimbine was found to accelerate the time course and increase the magnitude of desipramine-induced increases in [3H]clonidine binding. The possible physiologic significance of these findings is discussed along with their pharmacologic implications.