title: Hypnotic action of pentobarbital in mice: a possible mechanism.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D007555:Isoxazoles; D010080:Oxazoles; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D001418:Baclofen; D010424:Pentobarbital; C015542:gaboxadol; D001640:Bicuculline