Posted by sukarno on August 17, 2008, at 3:05:32
In reply to Xanax (alprazolam) as an antidepressant. Miracle!, posted by sukarno on August 17, 2008, at 3:00:10
The Effect of Sympathetic Antagonists on the Antidepressant Action of Alprazolam
Libyan J Med, AOP: 080101
The Effect of Sympathetic Antagonists on the Antidepressant Action of Alprazolam
Al-Tubuly RA1, Aburawi SM1, Alghzewi EA1, Gorash ZM1, Errwami S2(1) Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya.
(2) Diabetic Center, Tripoli, LibyaReceived for publication on 17 February 2007. Accepted in revised form 09 December 2007
Key words: Alprazolam; imipramine; swimming maze; atenolol; prazocin; propranolol
Abstract
Alprazolam is an anti-anxiety drug shown to be effective in the treatment of depression. In this study, the effect of sympathetic receptor antagonists on alprazolaminduced antidepressant action was studied using a mouse model of forced swimming behavioral despair. The interaction of three sympathetic receptor antagonists with benzodiazepines, which may impact the clinical use of alprazolam, was also studied. Behavioral despair was examined in six groups of albino mice. Drugs were administered intraperitoneally. The control group received only a single dose of 1% Tween 80. The second group received a single dose of alprazolam, and the third group received an antagonist followed by alprazolam. The fourth group was treated with imipramine, and the fifth group received an antagonist followed by imipramine. The sixth group was treated with a single dose of an antagonist alone (atenolol, a β1-selective adrenoceptor antagonist; propranolol, a non selective β-adrenoceptor antagonist; and prazocin, an α1-adrenoceptor antagonist). Results confirmed the antidepressant action of alprazolam and imipramine. Prazocin treatment alone produced depression, but it significantly potentiated the antidepressant actions of imipramine and alprazolam. Atenolol alone produced an antidepressant effect and potentiated the antidepressant action of alprazolam. Propranolol treatment alone produced depression, and antagonized the effects of alprazolam and imipramine, even producing depression in combined treatments.
In conclusion, our results reveal that alprazolam may produce antidepressant effects through the release of noradrenaline, which stimulates β2 receptors to produce an antidepressant action. Imipramine may act by activating β2 receptors by blocking or down-regulating β1 receptors.
http://www.ljm.org.ly/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1309
poster:sukarno
thread:846773
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080814/msgs/846774.html