title: Immunoenhancing effects of alprazolam in mice.
abstract: The GABA/benzodiazepine receptor chloride channel complex has been proposed to play a modulatory role in immune function. The effects of alprazolam, a triazolobenzodiazepine with high affinity for "central" benzodiazepine receptors, were examined on several parameters of immune function in mice. Natural killer cell activity, mixed leukocyte reactivity and mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation were all significantly increased two hr after administration of low doses (0.02-1.0 mg/kg) of alprazolam. Twenty four hr later, similar but less robust immunoenhancing effects were observed. Higher doses of alprazolam (5-10 mg/kg) did not affect these measures of immune function. The immunoenhancing effects of alprazolam did not appear related to corticosterone levels. In contrast, vehicle injection caused a profound suppression of these immune parameters two hr later, which was no longer apparent 24 hr later. This immunosuppression appeared to correlate with a concurrent rise in serum corticosterone levels. These data support the hypothesis that the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor chloride channel complex modulates immune function. Use of low doses of alprazolam may be of potential clinical importance when immunoenhancement is required.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuroscience, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fride
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Skolnick
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Arora
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000525:Alprazolam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D003345:Corticosterone; D000525:Alprazolam