Zolpidem, triazolam, and diazepam decrease distress vocalizations in mouse pups: differential antagonism by flumazenil and beta-Carboline-3-carboxylate-t-butyl ester (beta-CCt)

• Published in: The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics Vol. 297; no. 1; pp. 247 - 253
• Main Authors: Rowlett, J K, Tornatzky, W, Cook, J M, Ma, C, Miczek, K A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.04.2001
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Anti-Anxiety Agents - pharmacology; Body Temperature - drug effects; Carbolines - pharmacology; Diazepam - pharmacology; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Flumazenil - pharmacology; GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; Mice; Pyridines - pharmacology; Receptors, GABA-A - physiology; Triazolam - pharmacology; Vocalization, Animal - drug effects
• ISSN: 0022-3565

In response to stressful events, neonatal mice emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), which are suppressed by BZ agonists. The present study examined the role of the benzodiazepine/alpha1 (BZ/alpha1) receptor subtype in the suppression engendered by the BZ/alpha1-preferring agonist zolpidem and the nonselective BZ agonists triazolam and diazepam. The role of BZ receptor subtypes was explored further by conducting antagonism studies using the BZ/alpha1-preferring antagonist beta-carboline-3-carboxylate-t-butyl ester (beta-CCt), in comparison with the nonselective BZ antagonist flumazenil. Mouse pups (CFW strain) were separated from their dam and littermates at day 7, and placed for 4 min in a test chamber with reduced ambient temperature (19 +/- 1 degrees C) for recording USVs, motor incoordination (measured as a pup rolling on its back per grid cross), and body temperature. Zolpidem, triazolam, and diazepam suppressed USVs in a dose-dependent manner, concomitant with increases in incoordination and augmentation of hypothermia. These effects of the three BZ agonists were blocked by flumazenil in a manner consistent with surmountable antagonism. The ability of zolpidem, but not triazolam or diazepam, to suppress USVs and augment hypothermia was antagonized by beta-CCt, whereas the increase in motor incoordination engendered by zolpidem, triazolam, and diazepam was not sensitive to beta-CCt administration. Collectively, these results suggest that zolpidem suppresses distress USVs in mouse pups by a mechanism distinct from that of typical BZs. Furthermore, suppression of distress USVs by zolpidem may involve BZ/alpha1 receptors and a nonanxiolytic mechanism, such as hypothermia.