Diazepam inhibits cell respiration and induces fragmentation of mitochondrial reticulum.
Diazepam (70-150 micrograms/ml) significantly inhibits oxygen consumption by pig kidney embryo cells and causes the cellular ATP level to fall. The maximum inhibitory effect develops after 1.5-2.5 h of diazepam treatment. In isolated mitochondria diazepam inhibits respiration in state 2 and 3u with glutamate and in state 3u with succinate. Ethylrhodamine staining and electron microscopic study reveal fragmentation of mitochondria in living cells.
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007668:Kidney; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects*; D012235:Rhodamines; D013552:Swine
D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012235:Rhodamines; D003975:Diazepam