HOMEPRODUCTSCOMPANYCONTACTFAQResearchDictionaryPharmaSign Up FREE or Login

Alprazolam increases dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations.

Abstract
The gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist alprazolam is known to decrease adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol concentrations. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is secreted synchronously with cortisol by the adrenal glands and demonstrates diurnal variation. The major objective of this study was to determine whether alprazolam affects concentrations of DHEA and DHEA-S, the sulfated metabolite. In vitro studies have demonstrated that DHEA-S, and perhaps DHEA, have GABA antagonistic activity. Another objective was to determine whether DHEA-S and/or DHEA concentrations are related to psychomotor impairment after alprazolam. Thirty-eight healthy volunteers (25 young men, aged 22-35, and 13 elderly men, aged 65-75) received a single intravenous dose of alprazolam 2 mg/2 min (part 1). Fifteen young and 13 elderly men responded to alprazolam and agreed to participate in part 2 of the study, which was a crossover of placebo and alprazolam infusion to plateau for 9 hours. Plasma samples at 0, 1, 4, and 7 hours were assayed for steroid concentrations. Alprazolam produced (1) significant increases in DHEA concentrations at 7 hours in both young and elderly men; (2) significant decreases in cortisol concentrations; and (3) no change in DHEA-S concentrations. The relationship between psychomotor decrement and DHEA concentrations at 7 hours after alprazolam 2 mg/2 min was described by a u-shaped curve (p < 0.0047). Both the linear and quadratic components of the equations for the tests were significant (p < 0.002). These results suggest that alprazolam modulates peripheral concentrations of DHEA and that DHEA and/or DHEA-S may have an in vivo role in modulating GABA receptor-mediated responses.
AuthorsP D Kroboth, F S Salek, R A Stone, R J Bertz, F J Kroboth 3rd
JournalJournal of clinical psychopharmacology (J Clin Psychopharmacol) Vol. 19 Issue 2 Pg. 114-24 (Apr 1999) ISSN: 0271-0749 [Print] United States
PMID10211912 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
Chemical References
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone
  • Hydrocortisone
  • Alprazolam
Topics
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Alprazolam (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone (blood)
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone (blood)
  • Male
  • Psychomotor Performance (drug effects)
  • Time Factors

Join CureHunter, for free Research Interface BASIC access!

Take advantage of free CureHunter research engine access to explore the best drug and treatment options for any disease. Find out why thousands of doctors, pharma researchers and patient activists around the world use CureHunter every day.
Realize the full power of the drug-disease research graph!


Choose Username:
Email:
Password:
Verify Password:
Enter Code Shown: