Benzodiazepine Receptor Mediation of Behavioral Effects of Nitrous Oxide in Mice

Authors

Raymond M. Quock, University of Illinois College of MedicineFollow
Dimitris E. Emmanouil, Marquette UniversityFollow
Linda K. Vaughn, Marquette UniversityFollow
R. J. Pruhs, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

5 p.

Publication Date

6-1992

Publisher

Springer

Source Publication

Psychopharmacology

Source ISSN

0033-3158

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1007/BF02245153

Abstract

Nitrous oxide produces behavioral effects, the underlying mechanism of which is not known. In the mouse staircase test, exposure to nitrous oxide caused a reduction in rearing activity, an effect similar to that produced by benzodiazepines in this paradigm, when its opioid action on locomotion is blocked by naloxone. In this study, we tested whether effects of nitrous oxide might be mediated by benzodiazepine receptors, using chlordiazepoxide as a control. The abilities of nitrous oxide and chlordiazepoxide to reduce rearing were significantly attenuated in mice pretreated with the benzodiazepine receptor blocker flumazenil or rendered tolerant to benzodiazepines. These findings suggest an involvement of benzodiazepine receptors in mediation of certain behavioral effects of nitrous oxide.

Comments

Psychopharmacology, Vol. 107, No. 2-3 (June 1992): 310-314. DOI.

Recommended Citation

Quock, Raymond M.; Emmanouil, Dimitris E.; Vaughn, Linda K.; and Pruhs, R. J., "Benzodiazepine Receptor Mediation of Behavioral Effects of Nitrous Oxide in Mice" (1992). Biomedical Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 73.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/biomedsci_fac/73