FLUMAZENIL ATTENUATES THE PITUITARY-RESPONSE TO CRH IN HEALTHY-MALES

Differential effects of flumazenil (an antagonist) and midazolam (an a gonist at the benzodiazepine receptor) were studied in 8 healthy males . Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol responses to a corti cotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) challenge were measured. ACTH respons e was significantly lower after flumazenil administration than after s aline or midazolam. No significant treatment effect was found for the CRH-induced cortisol secretion. Our results agree with previous report s that point to an agonistic effect of flumazenil on pituitary-adrenoc ortical system activity and, moreover, may further support the anxioly tic activity of flumazenil in stimulated stress.