Anxiolytics block excessive grooming behavior induced by ACTH1-24 and bombesin.
Diazepam and meprobamate significantly attenuated the increases in grooming behavior induced by peptides. Significant increases in total grooming frequency over a thirty minute observation period were produced by intraventricular administration of 1 microgram ACTH1-24 and by 1 microgram bombesin to awake rats. Diazepam 1 mg/kg IP blocked the peptide-induced increases in grooming. Non-sedating doses of diazepam also completely reversed the grooming seen when rats were placed in a novel environment. The functional antagonism between anxiolytics and stress-related peptides supports the concept of interacting brain mechanisms mediating stress and anxiety.
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001839:Bombesin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003366:Cosyntropin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008620:Meprobamate / Q000494:pharmacology; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D010455:Peptides; D003366:Cosyntropin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D008620:Meprobamate; D001839:Bombesin; D003975:Diazepam