Alprazolam but not diazepam protects hamsters with heart disease from the medical consequences of stress.
We have previously shown that subjecting cardiomyopathic hamsters in the lesion-developing period of their heart disease to cold-immobilization stress had lethal consequences which could be blocked by alprazolam treatment. This experiment replicated that finding and also examined the efficacy of diazepam in this paradigm. In contrast to alprazolam, diazepam did not prevent the cardiomyopathic subjects from succumbing to the stressor. Thus, the effect of alprazolam in reducing stress-induced mortality did not reflect a generic benzodiazepine action.
Tapp
W N
WN
Primate Neuro-Behavioral Unit, VA Medical Center, East Orange NJ 07019.
Natelson
B H
BH
Grover
E
E
Ottenweller
J E
JE
D000525:Alprazolam / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D006224:Cricetinae; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008647:Mesocricetus; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*
D003975:Diazepam; D000525:Alprazolam