Lack of effect of chronic imipramine administration on beta-adrenoceptor density on rat lymphocytes.

Chronic administration of imipramine with drinking water to Wistar rats for two months did not affect the [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding to lymphocytic membranes, though the treatment depressed the radioligand binding to cerebral cortical membranes. The result suggests that the beta-adrenoceptor downregulation caused by the antidepressant in the central nervous system is not reflected in the lymphocytes.