Diazepam effects on peritoneal macrophage activity and corticosterone serum levels in Balb/C mice

In the present experiment we investigate the effects of diazepam on macroph age activity and serum corticosterone levels in mice. Adult mice were treat ed with diazepam (1.5 mg/kg/day - group E) or with control solution (group C-1) for 7 days; some animals were only handled, receiving no treatment (gr oup C-2). Oral onco-BCG was used for peritoneal macrophage activation. Diaz epam treatment: 1- decreased macrophage spreading and phagocytosis; 2-decre ased the concentrations of H2O2 spontaneously but not phorbol myristate-ace tate-induced release. In relation to mice of group C-1, diazepam treatment increased the serum levels of corticosterone. No differences were detected between data of groups C-1 and C-2 both for macrophage activity and serum c orticosterone levels. The present data were explained on the basis of a syn ergistically action for diazepam through peripheral type binding sites (PBR ) present in both adrenals and macrophages, stimulating adrenal glucocortic oid production and altering the macrophage cytokine network.