title: Benzodiazepines decrease the release of [3H]noradrenaline and of [3H]acetylcholine in the cat superior cervical ganglion.
abstract: The effects of two benzodiazepines, diazepam and clonazepam, were studied on the release of [3H]noradrenaline and of [3H]acetylcholine elicited by preganglionic stimulation of the cat isolated superior cervical ganglion and on the contractile responses evoked by either nerve stimulation or exogenous noradrenaline in the cat isolated nictitating membrane. Both 10 microM diazepam and 10 microM clonazepam reduced by approximately 50% the release of [3H]noradrenaline and of [3H]acetylcholine in the cat ganglion whereas they did not modify the contractile responses in the nictitating membrane. It is concluded that benzodiazepines are also peripheral neuroactive agents and that they exhibit a tissue-selective action within the same animal species.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Filinger
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Elgoyhen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Adler-Graschinsky
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002415:Cats; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009541:Nictitating Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D002998:Clonazepam; D000109:Acetylcholine; D003975:Diazepam; D009638:Norepinephrine