Inhibition of monoamine oxidase by viloxazine in rats

Biochemical and pharmacological investigations about the effect of the antidepressant drug viloxazine (Vivalan) on catecholamine metabolism in rats led to the following results: Viloxazine exerts a dose and time dependent inhibition of monoamine oxidase activity of brain and liver mitochondrial fraction and tissue homogenates of hypothalamus, heart, liver, and adrenal glands, both in vitro and after oral and parenteral administration in vivo. Consequently, an increase in catecholamine concentrations in brain of rats could be observed after pretreatment with viloxazine. In addition brain serotonin concentrations rose and 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid was diminished. However, characterization of inhibition of monoamine oxidase activity by viloxazine in vitro revealed: Compared to the specific inhibitors clorgyline for MAO-A- and pargyline for MAO-B-activity, viloxazine was a very weak inhibitor both for MAO-A and MAO-B in vitro. The type of inhibition was competitive and reversible. From the presented results and the results obtained by other laboratories it is concluded that inhibition of monoamine oxidase activity by viloxazine, although clearly demonstrated in animal experiments, may not be the only mechanism for an antidepressant action of the drug in man.