Immunoenhancing effects of alprazolam, a benzodiazepine receptor agonist.
The effects of alprazolam (ALP), a triazolobenzodiazepine with high affinity for "central" benzodiazepine receptors, were examined on several parameters of immune function in mice. NK, MLR, and mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation were all significantly increased 2 hr after administration of low doses (0.02-1.0 mg/kg) of ALP. Twenty four hr later, similar but less robust immunoenhancing effects were observed. These measures of immune functions were not affected by higher doses of ALP (5-10 mg/kg). The immunoenhancing effects of ALP did not appear related to serum corticosterone levels. These and other findings demonstrate that the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor chloride channel complex can bidirectionally modulate immune function.
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Laboratory of Neuroscience, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Meng
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Skolnick
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Arora
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D000525:Alprazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D000525:Alprazolam