Biomaterial Database

Effect of benzodiazepines on central serotonergic neuron systems. 1977

M Nakamura, and H Fukushima

Intracerebral (i.c.) injection of serotonin (5-HT) into mice induced head twitches in a dose-dependent manner at 10 min after injection. The head twitches induced by 5-HT (i.c.) were potentiated by the pretreatment of isocarboxazid (3 mg/kg i.p.), and inhibited by cyproheptadine (0.3 mg/kg i.p.), a 5-HT antagonist. Benzodiazepines such as fludiazepam and diazepam potentiated the head twitches induced by 5-HT (i.c.) in a dose-dependent manner. Mescaline (50 mg/kg i.p.) also induced head twitches in mice at 15 and 30 min after injection. Benzodiazepines potentiated the head twitches induced by mescaline in a dose-dependent manner. Cyproheptadine blocked the potentiating effect of benzodiazepines on the head twitches induced by both 5-HT (i.c.) and mescaline. By repeated administration of fludiazepam or diazepam for 5 days, the potentiating effect of both drugs on the head twitches induced by mescaline was unchanged and their anticonvulsant effects were not modified. In contrast, the potency of both drugs on muscle relaxation was significantly decreased by repeated administration. Benzodiazepines failed to change the uptake of 5-HT into the synaptosomal fractions from the rat brain. These results suggest that the pharmacological action of benzodiazepines is derived at least in part from their activating effect on 5-HT receptors.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D008635	Mescaline	Hallucinogenic alkaloid isolated from the flowering heads (peyote) of Lophophora (formerly Anhalonium) williamsii, a Mexican cactus used in Indian religious rites and as an experimental psychotomimetic. Among its cellular effects are agonist actions at some types of serotonin receptors. It has no accepted therapeutic uses although it is legal for religious use by members of the Native American Church.	Mezcalin,Peyote,Trimethoxyphenethylamine,3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenethylamine
D009119	Muscle Contraction	A process leading to shortening and/or development of tension in muscle tissue. Muscle contraction occurs by a sliding filament mechanism whereby actin filaments slide inward among the myosin filaments.	Inotropism,Muscular Contraction,Contraction, Muscle,Contraction, Muscular,Contractions, Muscle,Contractions, Muscular,Inotropisms,Muscle Contractions,Muscular Contractions
D009435	Synaptic Transmission	The communication from a NEURON to a target (neuron, muscle, or secretory cell) across a SYNAPSE. In chemical synaptic transmission, the presynaptic neuron releases a NEUROTRANSMITTER that diffuses across the synaptic cleft and binds to specific synaptic receptors, activating them. The activated receptors modulate specific ion channels and/or second-messenger systems in the postsynaptic cell. In electrical synaptic transmission, electrical signals are communicated as an ionic current flow across ELECTRICAL SYNAPSES.	Neural Transmission,Neurotransmission,Transmission, Neural,Transmission, Synaptic
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D010433	Pentylenetetrazole	A pharmaceutical agent that displays activity as a central nervous system and respiratory stimulant. It is considered a non-competitive GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID antagonist. Pentylenetetrazole has been used experimentally to study seizure phenomenon and to identify pharmaceuticals that may control seizure susceptibility.	Leptazole,Pentamethylenetetrazole,Pentetrazole,Cardiazol,Corasol,Corazol,Corazole,Korazol,Korazole,Metrazol,Metrazole,Pentazol,Pentylenetetrazol
D001921	Brain	The part of CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM that is contained within the skull (CRANIUM). Arising from the NEURAL TUBE, the embryonic brain is comprised of three major parts including PROSENCEPHALON (the forebrain); MESENCEPHALON (the midbrain); and RHOMBENCEPHALON (the hindbrain). The developed brain consists of CEREBRUM; CEREBELLUM; and other structures in the BRAIN STEM.	Encephalon
D003533	Cyproheptadine	A serotonin antagonist and a histamine H1 blocker used as antipruritic, appetite stimulant, antiallergic, and for the post-gastrectomy dumping syndrome, etc.	Antergan,Dihexazin,Periactin,Peritol,Viternum
D003975	Diazepam	A benzodiazepine with anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, sedative, muscle relaxant, and amnesic properties and a long duration of action. Its actions are mediated by enhancement of GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID activity.	7-Chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one,Apaurin,Diazemuls,Faustan,Relanium,Seduxen,Sibazon,Stesolid,Valium
D004347	Drug Interactions	The action of a drug that may affect the activity, metabolism, or toxicity of another drug.	Drug Interaction,Interaction, Drug,Interactions, Drug