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Behavioral Analysis Indicates Benzodiazepine-Tolerance Mediated by the Benzodiazepine Binding-Site at the GABA(A)-receptor

U Schmitt, H Lüddens, C Hiemke

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2001 Jul;25(5):1145-60.

PMID: 11444682

Abstract:

1. GABA(A)-receptor induced changes in locomotion and anxiety-like behaviors were studied in rats using an open-field and an elevated plus-maze. Acute and chronic doses of the benzodiazepine diazepam without and in combination with the GABA uptake inhibitor SKF-89976A were investigated. 2. Fifty-six male rats of the strain PVG/OlaHsd (PVG; 180-200 g body wt) were used to assess the influence of the benzodiazepine binding-site to the development of tolerance. Rats were divided into six groups: The first receiving saline (0.9%), the second and third diazepam (10.0 mg/kg) daily for 23 days with or without an acute challenge of 2.0 mg/kg diazepam. The fourth group received diazepam (10.0 mg/kg) daily and acutely SKF-89976A (15.0 mg/kg) plus diazepam and the fifth and sixth group received acute treatment with diazepam (2.0 mg/kg) or SKF-89976A (15.0 mg/kg). 3. Under chronic treatment with diazepam the animals became tolerant to acute doses of diazepam in activity and anxiety-related behaviors. Acute treatment with SKF-89976A increased exploration. Parameters expressing anxiolytic-like behaviors were increased, too, but not all of them significantly. In diazepam tolerant animals SKF-89976A produced anxiolytic-like behaviors 4. We conclude that the BZ- and not the GABA-binding site at the GABA(A)-receptor is involved in the development of BZ-tolerance.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number Product Name Structure CAS Number Price
AP85375151 SKF-89976A SKF-89976A 85375-15-1 Price
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