Modification of the effect of diazepam on the propofol-induced loss of the righting reflex in mice by diabetes

The effect of diabetes on the effect of diazepam on the propofol-induced loss of the righting reflex was investigated. There was no significant difference in the duration of the propofol-induced loss of the righting reflex between non-diabetic and diabetic mice. Diazepam increased the duration of the propofol-induced loss of the righting reflex in both diabetic and non-diabetic mice. The diazepam-induced enhancement of the effect of propofol was significantly lower in diabetic mice than that in non-diabetic mice. These effects were antagonized by the pretreatment with flumazenil. Pretreatment with FG7142, a benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist, attenuated the duration of the propofol-induced loss of the righting reflex in non-diabetic mice, but not in diabetic mice. These results suggest that the attenuation of the diazepam-induced enhancement of the duration of the propofol-induced loss of the righting reflex in diabetic mice may be due to the dysfunction of benzodiazepine receptors. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.