title: Possible GABAergic modulation in the protective effect of zolpidem in acute hypoxic stress-induced behavior alterations and oxidative damage.
abstract: Hypoxia is an environmental stressor that is known to elicit alterations in both the autonomic nervous system and endocrine functions. The free radical or oxidative stress theory holds that oxidative reactions are mainly underlying neurodegenerative disorders. In fact among complex metabolic reactions occurring during hypoxia, many could be related to the formation of oxygen derived free radicals, causing a wide spectrum of cell damage. In present study, we investigated possible involvement of GABAergic mechanism in the protective effect of zolpidem against acute hypoxia-induced behavioral modification and biochemical alterations in mice. Mice were subjected to acute hypoxic stress for a period of 2 h. Acute hypoxic stress for 2 h caused significant impairment in locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior, and antinocioceptive effect in mice. Biochemical analysis revealed a significant increased malondialdehyde, nitrite concentrations and depleted reduced glutathione and catalase levels. Pretreatment with zolpidem (5 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly improved locomotor activity, anti-anxiety effect, reduced tail flick latency and attenuated oxidative damage (reduced malondialdehyde, nitrite concentration, and restoration of reduced glutathione and catalase levels) as compared to stressed control (hypoxia) (P < 0.05). Besides, protective effect of zolpidem (5 mg/kg) was blocked significantly by picrotoxin (1.0 mg/kg) or flumazenil (2 mg/kg) and potentiated by muscimol (0.05 mg/kg) in hypoxic animals (P < 0.05). These effects were significant as compared to zolpidem (5 mg/kg) per se (P < 0.05). Present study suggest that the possible involvement of GABAergic modulation in the protective effect of zolpidem against hypoxic stress.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India. kumaruips@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Richa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goyal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018755:GABA Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018756:GABA Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000187:drug effects; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D000077334:Zolpidem; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018755:GABA Agonists; D018756:GABA Antagonists; D018757:GABA Modulators; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009573:Nitrites; D011725:Pyridines; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077334:Zolpidem; D002374:Catalase; D005978:Glutathione