title: Brain GABA and benzodiazepine receptors in hepatic encephalopathy.
abstract: Mammalian brain contains two types of benzodiazepine receptors namely the "central-type" receptor which forme part of the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor complex, and the so-called "peripheral-type" receptor found predominantly on mitocondrial membranes of astrocytes. Brain GABA-related benzodiazepine receptors are unchanged in hepatic encephalopathy. On the other hand, human and experimental hepatic encephalopathy are associated with increased densities of "peripheral type" benzodiazepine receptor. Results of several studies using agonists and antagonists of both types of benzodiazepine receptors are discussed in this review.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neurochemistry, André-Viallet Clinical Research Centre, Hôpital St-Luc (University of Montreal), Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2X 3J4.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Butterworth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018756:GABA Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058785:GABA-A Receptor Agonists; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D008322:Mammals / Q000378:metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011167:Portacaval Shunt, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D018756:GABA Antagonists; D058785:GABA-A Receptor Agonists; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D008024:Ligands; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; C499229:TSPO protein, human; D001569:Benzodiazepines; C069997:Tspo protein, rat; D005442:Flumazenil