title: Benzodiazepines antagonize central corticotropin releasing hormone-induced suppression of natural killer cell activity.
abstract: Benzodiazepines have anxiolytic properties and attenuate behavioral stress responses induced by corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). To evaluate the effect of benzodiazepines on CRH-induced immune suppression, potent centrally acting benzodiazepines were administered prior to central infusion of CRH (i.c.v.; 1.0 microgram). CRH induced a significant (P < 0.01) reduction of splenic natural killer cell activity which was completely antagonized by pretreatment with either diazepam or alprazolam.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Irwin
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Hauger
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Britton
mesh_terms: D000525:Alprazolam / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003975:Diazepam; D000525:Alprazolam