Hypnotic action of pentobarbital in mice: a possible mechanism.
The effect of GABA receptor agonists (THIP and baclofen) on the hypnotic activity (loss of righting reflex and sleep time) of pentobarbital in mice was investigated. Combinations of either THIP-pentobarbital or baclofen-pentobarbital interacted synergistically by increasing hypnotic activity. The GABAa receptor antagonist, bicuculline, decreased the hypnotic effect of THIP-pentobarbital combinations but not that of baclofen-pentobarbital combinations. These results suggest that the hypnotic activity of pentobarbital involves GABAa receptor function.
D000818:Animals; D001418:Baclofen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001640:Bicuculline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010080:Oxazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010424:Pentobarbital / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects*; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*
D007555:Isoxazoles; D010080:Oxazoles; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D001418:Baclofen; D010424:Pentobarbital; C015542:gaboxadol; D001640:Bicuculline