title: Regionally specific effects of diazepam on brain serotonin metabolism in rats: sustained effects following repeated administration.
abstract: The effects of single (1mg/kg) and repeated (1mg/kg 2* daily for 4 days) diazepam administration are investigated on brain regional 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) and 5-hydroxy indoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentration in rats. Daily treatment decreased food intakes but body weights did not decrease. Administration of diazepam (1mg/kg) to 4 day saline injected rats on the 5th day decreased 5-HT levels in the hippocampus and increased it in the hypothalamus. 5-HIAA levels were increased in the striatum and decreased in the hypothalamus 4 day diazepam injected rats injected with saline on the 5th day also exhibited similar changes of 5-HT and 5-HIAA. Cortical levels of 5-HIAA were also smaller in these rats. Administration of diazepam to 4 day diazepam injected rats again decreased 5-HT in the hippocampus and 5-HIAA in the hypothalamus. 5-HT and 5-HIAA were both decreased in the striatum. Regionally specific effects of diazepam on brain serotonin metabolism are discussed in relation to their possible functions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Haleem
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Batool
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D003975:Diazepam