Are the anxiogenic effects of yohimbine mediated by its action at benzodiazepine receptors?
Yohimbine, which has activity both at alpha 2-adrenoreceptors and benzodiazepine receptors in the CNS, had an anxiogenic action (1.25-2.5 mg/kg) in the social interaction test in rats. This effect was reversed by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine (0.01 mg/kg), but not by the benzodiazepine receptor agonist chlordiazepoxide (5-10 mg/kg) or the antagonist Ro 15-1788 (10 mg/kg). These results suggest that the anxiogenic effects of yohimbine are not attributable to its low affinity effects at benzodiazepine receptors but to its alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist activity.
Pellow
S
S
Chopin
P
P
File
S E
SE
D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D002707:Chlordiazepoxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D003000:Clonidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005442:Flumazenil; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects*; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D015016:Yohimbine / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D015016:Yohimbine; D005442:Flumazenil; D002707:Chlordiazepoxide; D003000:Clonidine