title: Stress-protection action of beta-phenyl(GABA): involvement of central and peripheral type benzodiazepine binding sites.
abstract: Forced swimming stress caused a significant increase in the density of central type benzodiazepine binding sites in rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The number of peripheral type benzodiazepine binding sites was also enhanced on blood platelets. The affinity of neither central nor peripheral type benzodiazepine binding sites was changed considerably after swimming stress. Pretreatment of rats with beta-(phenyl)GABA (100 mg/kg), a GABAB agonist, almost completely eliminated the described changes of the both types of benzodiazepine binding sites caused by swimming stress. In an elevated plus-maze model of anxiety beta-(phenyl)GABA itself was inactive but like diazepam effectively counteracted the behavioural effects of DMCM, a beta-carboline derivative with anxiogenic properties. The possible involvement of benzodiazepine receptors in the mechanism of action of beta-(phenyl)GABA is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Tartu University, Estonia, USSR.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rägo
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kiivet
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adojaan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Harro
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Allikmets
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002243:Carbolines / Q000494:pharmacology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011292:Premedication; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D001798:Blood Proteins; D002243:Carbolines; D004338:Drug Combinations; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; C034818:methyl 6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate; C028513:4'-chlorodiazepam; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D005445:Flunitrazepam; C008842:4-amino-3-phenylbutyric acid