Effect of diazepam on muscle weakness in a model of myasthenia gravis in rats.
Rats chronically received alpha-bungarotoxin which caused a reduction of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and weakness, especially of lip muscles. It was found that diazepam (0.75-2 mg kg-1, s.c.), after a 15 min period of excitation and increased lip weakness, caused sedation and some improvement of the lip. Even after 5 mg kg-1 diazepam, muscle function was not markedly affected and breathing appeared normal. It is concluded that sedation in rats by diazepam does not entail aggravation of the muscle weakness caused by a partial neuromuscular block.
Molenaar
P C
PC
Department of Physiology, University of Leiden, The Netherlands.
Van Kempen
G T
GT
D000818:Animals; D002038:Bungarotoxins; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D008046:Lip; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009388:Neostigmine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D002038:Bungarotoxins; D011978:Receptors, Nicotinic; D009388:Neostigmine; D003975:Diazepam