Rats were made diazepam dependent by chronic treatment with daily injections of the drug, 20 mg/kg, IP, for 3 weeks. On abrupt termination of the drug, the animals showed withdrawal hyperactivity which was indicated by increased horizontal locomotion and vertical activity, and diarrhoea. The peak effect was seen 3 days after the withdrawal of diazepam. Effects of various alpha 2 agonists, clonidine, guanfacine and B-HT 920, were studied on the diazepam withdrawal phenomena. Clonidine (100 micrograms/kg, IP) given twice a day at an interval of 12 h prevented both withdrawal-induced hyperactivity and diarrhoea. On the contrary, equimolar doses of guanfacine and B-HT 920 failed to reverse withdrawal-induced hyperactivity but attenuated the effect of diarrhoea. However, higher doses (500 micrograms/kg, IP) of guanfacine and B-HT 920 given twice a day at 12-h intervals were found to be effective. Pretreatment with yohimbine (1.5 mg/kg, IP) reversed the protective effect of clonidine, indicating the involvement of alpha 2 receptors in the action of clonidine.
The protective effect of various alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonists such as clonidine, guanfacine, B-HT 920 and ICI 106270 was investigated against Ro 5-4864-induced convulsions in mice and rats. Clonidine and ICI 106270 exhibited a profound anticonvulsant effect while equivalent doses of guanfacine and B-HT 920 were less effective. The anticonvulsant effect of clonidine and ICI 106270 was reversed by pretreatment with yohimbine or idazoxan, indicating the involvement of alpha 2 adrenoceptors in their protective effect. Diazepam, clonazepam, CL 218, 872 and pentobarbitone exhibited a different profile of protective action, as these agents protected the animals from apparent mortality as compared to clonidine and ICI 106270 which prolonged the latencies of jerk and convulsion. Modulatory effects of alpha 2 adrenoceptors in central GABA function and multiple sites for Ro 5-4864-induced seizures are explained.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.