Effect of serum cholesterol levels on meta-chlorophenylpiperazine-evoked neuroendocrine responses in healthy subjects

This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that serum cholesterol levels might be associated with serotonergic receptor function, The participants were 10 healthy male subjects. After an overnight fast, the subjects received meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) or identical placebo capsules orally in a randomized double-blind, cross-over design. Blood was obtained for measurement of prolactin, cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cholesterol. There were some significantly positive correlations between serum cholesterol levels and hormonal responses to m-CPP administration, These results suggest that serum cholesterol levels may be positively associated with serotonergic receptor function. (C) 1997 Society of Biological Psychiatry.