In vitro and in vivo inhibition of [3H]imipramine binding by cadmium

Chronic exposure of rats to CdCl2 altered the specific binding of [3H]imipramine to membranes from platelets and hypothalamus. There was a decrease in Bmax of 10-40% and a decrease in KD values of 30-40% as compared to the control group. In vitro studies on the inhibition of [ 3H ]imipramine binding to membranes from human and rat platelets and hypothalamus by CdCl2 corroborate the in vivo results which imply that the imipramine binding protein contains Cd2+-sensitive groups.