Proadifen-sensitive high affinity binding of 3H-alaproclate to liver membranes

3H-Alaproclate, a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine uptake inhibitor, was found to bind to microsomal membranes from the rat liver with high affinity (KD = 3 nM) and large capacity (Bmax about 2 nmol/g liver). This binding was stereoselective since S-(-)-alaproclate was 30 times more potent than the R-(+)-enantiomer to displace the 3H-labelled racemate. Proadifen (SKF 525A), an inhibitor of cytochrome P-450, displaced the 3H-alaproclate binding with the same, high affinity (Ki = 3 nM) as alaproclate itself. Repeated treatment with phenobarbital sodium (5 x 75 mg/kg intraperitoneally) increased the number of alaproclate binding sites 7-8 times without changing the affinity. However, most of the phenobarbital induced 3H-alaproclate binding was not displaceable by proadifen, showing the presence of at least two different high affinity binding sites. The possible involvement of cytochrome P-450 in the alaproclate binding is discussed.