Flumazenil attenuates the pituitary response to CRH in healthy males.
Differential effects of flumazenil (an antagonist) and midazolam (an antagonist at the benzodiazepine receptor) were studied in 8 healthy males. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol responses to a corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) challenge were measured. ACTH response was significantly lower after flumazenil administration than after saline or midazolam. No significant treatment effect was found for the CRH-induced cortisol secretion. Our results agree with previous reports that point to an agonistic effect of flumazenil on pituitary-adrenocortical system activity and, moreover, may further support the anxiolytic activity of flumazenil in stimulated stress.
Ströhle
A
A
Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Clinical Institute, Munich, Germany.
Wiedemann
K
K
D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000187:drug effects*
D005442:Flumazenil; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone