Abstract
Single 2h administration of diazepam (benzodiazepine) in 3.5% ethanol solution was found to evoke advance and delay phase shifts in the locomotor activity rhythm in the field mouseMus booduga. Through such pulsed administration of diazepam at various phases of circadian rhythm a phase response curve could be constructed. Phase advance occurred during early subjective day (CT 2) and phase delays were observed in the remaining phases. The shape of the diazepam phase response curve is similar to the general shape of the phase response curves generated by intraperitoneal injections of other benzodiazepines in hamsters. The phase shifting action of diazepam may be explained by its agonistic action on the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- SCN:
-
Suprachiasmatic nucleus
- RHT:
-
retinohypothalamic tract
- GHT:
-
geniculo-hypothalamic tract
- DD:
-
constant darkness
- CT:
-
circadian time
- τ:
-
period of freerunning rhythm
- PRC:
-
phase response curve.
References
Albers H E, Gerall A A and Axelson J F 1981 Effect of reproductive state on circadian periodicity in the rat;Physiol. Behav. 26 21–25
Braestrup C and Nielsen M 1986 Benzodiazepine receptor bindingin vivo and efficacy; inBenzodiazepine/GABA receptors and chloride channels: Structural and functional properties (eds) R W Olsen and J C Venter (New York: AR Liss Inc.) pp 167–184
Card J P and Moore R Y 1984 The suprachiasmatic nucleus of the golden hamster: immuno-histochemical analysis of cell and fiber distribution;Neuroscience 13 415–431
Daan S and Pittendrigh C S 1976 A functional analysis of circadian pacemakers in nocturnal rodents. II The variability of phase response curves;J. Comp. Physiol. 106 253–266
Ebihara S, Goto M and Oshima I 1988 Different responses of the circadian system to GABA-active drugs in two strains of mice;J. Biol. Rhythms 3 357–364
Houpt T A, Boulos Z and Moore-Ede M C 1986 Circadian phase response curve to diazepam for hamsters m constant light;Soc. Neurosci. Abstr 12 1071
Joy J E, Losee-Olson S and Turek F W 1989 Single injections of triazolam, a short-acting benzodiazepine, lengthen the period of the circadian activity rhythm in golden hamsters;Experientia 45 152–154
Merck Index. Eleventh edition 1989 (Merck and Co., Inc., NJ, USA)
Moore R Y and Card J P 1985 Visual pathways and the entrainment of circadian rhythms;N. Y. Acad Sci. 453 123–133
Mrosovsky N and Salmon P A 1990 Triazolam and phase shifting acceleration re-evaluated;Chronobiol Int. 7 35–41
Pittendrigh CS and Daan S 1976 A functional analysis of circadian pacemakers in nocturnal rodents. I. The stability and lability of spontaneous frequency;J. Comp. Physiol. 106 223–252
Ralph M R and Menaker M 1985 Bicuculline blocks circadian phase delays but not advances;Brain Res 325 362–365
Ralph M R and Menaker M 1986 Effects of diazepam on circadian phase advances and delays;Brain Res. 372 405–408
Subramanian P and Subbaraj R 1990 Effect of Imipramine and amitriptyline on circadian locomotor activity rhythm in the field mouseMus booduga;Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (Anim. Sci.) 99 503–507
Subramanian P 1991Studies on circadian locomotor activity rhythm in the field mouse Mus booduga: Effect ofpsychoactive drugs; Ph.D, thesis, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai
Turek F W 1988 Pharmacological manipulation of the mammalian circadian clock: implications for the control of seasonal reproductive cycles;Reprod. Nutr. Dev. 28(2B) 499–513
Turek F W and Losee-Olson S 1986 A benzodiazepine used in the treatment of insomnia phase-shifts the mammalian circadian clock;Nature (London) 321 167–168
Van Reeth O and Turek F W 1989 Stimulated activity mediates phase shifts in the hamster circadian clock induced by dark pulses or benzodiazepines;Nature (London) 339 49–51
Wee B E F and Turek F W 1989 Midazolam, a short-acting benzodiazepine, resets the circadian clock of the hamster;Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 32 901–906
Zucker I, Rusak B and King R G 1976 Neural bases for circadian rhythms in rodent behaviour; inAdvances in psychobiology (eds) A H Riesen and R F Thompson (New York: Wiley) Vol. 3, pp 35–74
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Subramanian, P., Subbaraj, R. Diazepam phase shifts the circadian clock of the field mouseMus booduga . J Biosci 18, 103–110 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02703042
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02703042