title: Effect of benzodiazepines on cyclic GMP formation in rat cerebellar slices.
abstract: Cyclic 3',5' guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels, stimulated in brain slices by ouabain, potassium, and sodium azide depolarization, have been found to be inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion by both behaviorally active and inactive benzodiazepines. ED50's for these benzodiazepines bear no relation to potencies established from receptor membrane binding studies; however, these values do correspond to ED50's calculated for several known membrane stabilizing agents tested in this system. The concentration of [3H]flunitrazepam necessary to saturate the benzodiazepine receptor in identical  slice preparations is considerably lower than that needed to initiate inhibition of depolarization-induced cGMP stimulation. Some of the reported in vivo actions of benzodiazepines on cGMP formation may be the result of membrane stabilizing actions of the benzodiazepines or mediated indirectly.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D010042:Ouabain / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000378:metabolism; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D010042:Ouabain; D006152:Cyclic GMP