Naslov
Sex differences in bicuculline-induced convulsions:interaction with stress and ligands of benzodiazepine binding sites
(Sex differences in bicuculline-induced convulsions: interaction with stress and ligands of benzodiazepine binding sites)

Autori
Peričić, Danka ; Bujas, Maja

Izvornik
Brain research (0006-8993) 752 (1997); 279-284

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Bicuculline-induced convulsion; Sex difference; Handling stress; Swim stress; Flumazenil; Diazepam; Rat

Sažetak
The response to i.v. administration of bicuculline and its interaction with the benzodiazepine agonist diazepam and antagonist flumazenil were studied in male and female handling stressed and swim stressed rats. Both handling stressed and swim stressed male rats needed less bicuculline to produce myoclonic twitch and running/bouncing (RB) clonus than females. Besides, a lower dose of bicuculline produced tonic hindlimb extensor convulsion (THE) in male than in female swim stressed rats. Flumazenil failed to affect seizure thresholds for bicuculline either in handling stressed or in swim stressed animals. Sex differences remained present after diazepam pre-treatment as well. While diazepam enhanced doses of bicuculline producing all three convulsive signs similarly in both handling and swim stressed rats (141-162%), swim stress had the lowest anticonvulsive effect for the onset of myoclonic twitch (110% in males and 117% in females) and the highest for THE (148% in males and 188% in females). The anticonvulsive effect of diazepam was not sex-dependent, while the anticonvulsive effect of swim stress was greater in female than in male rats. The results suggest that greater sensitivity of male rats to bicuculline and the anticonvulsive effect of swim stress do not result from the release of endogenous modulators of benzodiazepine binding sites.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA