title: Diazepam inhibits phagocytosis and killing exerted by polymorphonuclear cells and monocytes from healthy donors. In vitro studies.
abstract: The effect of a benzodiazepine (BDZ), diazepam on human polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) and monocyte phagocytosis and killing from healthy volunteers has been evaluated. Diazepam is able to inhibit in vitro both functions exerted by PMN and monocytes at 10(-5) and 10(-6) M concentrations/ 4 x 10(6) phagocytes. 10(-7) M concentration was not effective in all the instances. These results are discussed for their possible clinical implications, since previous studies have shown that in patients with phobic disorder there is evidence for reduced phagocytosis and killing capacities.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Neuroanatomia Clinica, University of Bari.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Covelli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Decandia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Altamura
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jirillo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003975:Diazepam