NEUROENDOCRINE EFFECTS OF DIAZEPAM AND FLESINOXAN IN THE STRESS-INDUCED HYPERTHERMIA TEST IN MICE

In the stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) paradigm in mice, both a benz odiazepine receptor agonist, diazepam, and a 5-HT1A receptor agonist, flesinoxan, reduced the stress-induced increase in rectal temperature. The SIH procedure itself enhanced plasma ACTH and corticosterone leve ls bur not plasma glucose levels. Diazepam (3, 6, and 12 mg/kg PO) did neither affect basal plasma ACTH, corticosterone, or glucose levels, nor did it suppress the stress-induced rises in these parameters. Fles inoxan (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg PO) enhanced plasma ACTH and corticosterone concentrations under nonstress conditions but did not affect the stre ss-induced increases in ACTH and corticosterone secretion. No clear ef fects of flesinoxan on plasma glucose levels were found. Our results i ndicate that in mice the anxiolytic effects of diazepam and flesinoxan in the SIH paradigm are not paralleled by a blockade of stress-induce d increases in plasma ACTH, corticosterone, and glucose levels.