S. Sevy et al., EFFECTS OF ALPRAZOLAM ON INCREASES IN HORMONAL AND ANXIETY LEVELS INDUCED BY META-CHLOROPHENYLPIPERAZINE, Psychiatry research, 53(3), 1994, pp. 219-229
The effects of alprazolam, a triazolobenzodiazepine, on hormonal and b
ehavioral responses induced by meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (MCPP), a s
erotonin receptor agonist, were investigated in 10 healthy men. Alpraz
olam (0.5 mg) or placebo was given 1 hour before MCPP (0.5 mg/kg) or p
lacebo. Cortisol, prolactin, and growth hormone (GH) release, MCPP and
alprazolam plasma levels, anxiety level, and panic symptoms were meas
ured over 210 minutes. MCPP was found to increase cortisol, prolactin,
GH, and anxiety levels. Alprazolam decreased cortisol and GH levels b
ut had no effect on prolactin. When used in combination with MCPP, alp
razolam blunted MCPP-induced cortisol and GH release, and it blocked t
he anxiogenic effects of MCPP.