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The antidepressant activity of monoamine oxidase inhibitors has been well established for 30 years. Nevertheless, this group of compounds was handled with great care, mainly because of the interaction potential with tyramine-containing foodstuff. With the discovery of reversible and selective inhibitors of monoamine oxidase type A a renaissance of these compounds has begun. In this paper one of these new substances--brofaromine--will be described in detail. Biochemical and pharmacological aspects will be reviewed, showing that brofaromine is a selective and reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type A with additional serotonin reuptake inhibiting properties. Both mechanisms of action may synergize in the antidepressant effect of the compound. The main results of clinical trials in depression and other indication areas will also be covered. Special attention will be put on the side effect profile.

Cultured renal collecting duct cells from neonatal rabbit kidney were used to examine the influence of aldosterone on enyzmatic activity of citrate synthase during increase in Na⁺ transport. Control epithelia showed citrate synthase activity of 71 ± 3 mU/mg protein (n=28), while after aldosterone treatment citrate synthase activity was significantly increased to 79 ± 6 mU/mgat 1 h(n=5), to 88 ± 6 mU/mg at 2 h(n=6) and to 93 ± 8 mU/mg protein at 3 h (n=5). Citrate synthase activity subsequently decreased to basal values. Spironolactone fully blocked the aldosterone-induced increase in citrate synthase activity. The time course of enzyme stimulation after aldosterone administration indicates that the hormone activates citrate synthase during the physiological early response phase.