Developmental and neurochemical effects of early postnatal exposure to flumazenil in female and male mice

The effect of the benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil (10 and 20 mg/Kg) on righting reflex, body weight, body temperature, and proteins, cholesterol and phospholipids of the brain was examined in new born male and female mou se pups. In males, the level of brain cholesterol was increased by the low dose but diminished by the high dose. On the contrary, the amount of phosph olipids and protein was diminished by the low dose and increased by the hig h dose. In females, the level of phospholipids was reduced by 10 mg/Kg but was increased by 20 mg/Kg. Flumazenil dose-dependently decreased the level of proteins, although the quantity of brain cholesterol was similar to male s Postnatal exposure to flumazenil did not influence righting reflex, body weight and body temperature although prenatal exposure to the drug retarded the former mentioned response. Postnatal flumazenil clearly had a very pro found effect on biochemical measures in mice, which could reflect the antag onist's powerful fluidising effects on neuromembranes.