Changes induced by diazepam in the synaptic vesicle size of rat phrenic nerve terminals.
The effect of diazepam (Valium), administered by i.p. injection on the cross-sectional area of synaptic vesicle profiles of the endplate-rich area of the rate diaphragm was studied by electron microscopy at 15-180 min after treatment. In the dose range of 0.25-10 mg/kg, diazepam induced a significant increase of the size of the synaptic vesicles. This increase was dose-related within a certain margin, dependent on the treatment time, while the effect of each dose increased significantly with the period after treatment. At 2.5-10 mg/kg a maximum seemed to be reached at 90 min.
D000818:Animals; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D003975:Diazepam