The benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonists beta-CCM and RO 15-3505 both reverse the anxiolytic effects of ethanol in mice.

Abstract

The antagonistic effects of the benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist beta-CCM (1 mg/kg) and of the partial inverse agonist RO 15-3505 (3 mg/kg) on the anxiolytic properties of ethanol (1 g/kg) in mice confronted with a light/dark choice procedure and with the staircase test were investigated. Both drugs reversed the effects of ethanol on some of the behavioral parameters, but beta-CCM alone elicited anxiogenic intrinsic effects. RO 15-3505 induced seizures in mice treated with a subconvulsant dose of pentylenetetrazole, the most efficient doses being 3 and 6 mg/kg. These data indicate that beta-CCM and RO 15-3505 can reverse some of the anxiolytic effects of ethanol, acting probably to oppose GABA function via the benzodiazepine receptor.

• Authors: C Belzung, R Misslin, E Vogel
• Journal: Life sciences (Life Sci) Vol. 42 Issue 18 Pg. 1765-72 ( 1988) ISSN: 0024-3205 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 2896286 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Anxiety Agents
• Benzodiazepinones
• Carbolines
• Benzodiazepines
• Ethanol
• Ro 15-3505
• beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester
• Pentylenetetrazole

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Anxiety Agents (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Anxiety (chemically induced)
• Behavior, Animal (drug effects)
• Benzodiazepines (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Benzodiazepinones (pharmacology)
• Carbolines (pharmacology)
• Ethanol (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Male
• Mice
• Pentylenetetrazole
• Seizures (chemically induced)