Effects of chronic benzodiazepine exposure on stress-induced neuroactive steroid levels.
Since the neuroactive steroid 3alpha,5alpha-tetrahydroprogesterone (3alpha,5alpha-THP) has pharmacologic actions similar to benzodiazepine agonists such as diazepam, the influences of chronic diazepam exposure on stress-induced brain levels of 3alpha, 5alpha-THP were examined. Groups of male, female, orchidectomized (ORCH), and ovariectomized (OVX) rats were compared, along with OVX groups given hormone replacement. Chronic diazepam exposure diminished stress-induced brain levels of 3alpha,5alpha-THP and serum corticosterone, although gender, gonadectomy and hormone replacement had disparate influences on these two endocrine responses to stress.
Wilson
M A
MA
Department of Pharmacology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Bldg. 1, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. marlene@med.sc.edu
Frye
C A
CA
D000818:Animals; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011280:Pregnanolone / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D004338:Drug Combinations; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011280:Pregnanolone; D003345:Corticosterone