TY - JOUR T1 - Relationships between plasma corticosteroids and benzodiazepines in stress. JF - Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO - J Pharmacol Exp Ther SP - 305 LP - 308 VL - 211 IS - 2 AU - G Le Fur AU - F Guilloux AU - N Mitrani AU - J Mizoule AU - A Uzan Y1 - 1979/11/01 UR - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/211/2/305.abstract N2 - Forcing a rat to swim in a situation from which there is no escape results in an increase in plasma corticosteroid level. This rise was selectively inhibited by benzodiazepines, phenobarbital and meprobamate but not by other psychotropic drugs like trycyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, neuroleptics and amphetamines. This effect of benzodiazepines is of central origin since diazepam did not block the rise in plasma corticosteroid level produced by adrenocorticotrophic hormone. Diazepam also had no effect on plasma corticosteroid levels in hypophysectomized rats or in rats treated with betamethasone. Brief stress did not alter binding of [3H]diazepam in vitro nor binding of [3H]flunitrazepam in vivo. ER -