Effects
of tandospirone, a serotonin-1A agonist, on the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal
axis of male patients
by Yasuhiro Kaneda & Akira Fujii
Keywords:
hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis, serotonin,
prolactin, tandospirone
Submitted:
February 6, 2001
Accepted: July 21, 2001
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Serotonin (5-HT) agonists are reported to
affect prolactin (PRL) and gonadotropin secretion. A small
study was conducted on male patients with generalized anxiety
disorders to investigate the clinical and neuroendocrinological
effects of the 5-HT1A receptor agonist
tandospirone (TDS) on the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG)
axis.
METHODS: The subjects for the present study included 11 male
outpatients. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects
involved in this study. The endocrine studies were done before
and during TDS administration. Psychiatric ratings were done
using the Japanese version of the Spielberger’s State-Trait
Anxiety Inventory.
RESULTS:
We found that (1) both state- and trait-anxiety scores were
significantly reduced by TDS treatment; (2) there was no significant
difference in PRL, gonadotropins or testosterone (T) between
the patients and normal controls; (3) TDS administration showed
significant stimulatory effects on PRL and T; and (4) PRL
change between baseline and TDS steady state (DPRL)
did not show a significant correlation with improvement in
state or trait-anxiety scores.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that (1) PRL response may
not provide a clinical predictor; (2) PRL level may not reflect
the level of anxiety, and (3) 5-HT1A
may have stimulatory effects on PRL. However, further, double-blind
evaluation with a larger sample would be needed for clarification
of effects of 5-HT1A on the HPG axis.
