The effects of chronic stress, acute stress, and SKF-525A on barbital activity and brain norepinerphrine levels in rats

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1973

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Chronic and acute stress has been reported to cause altered activity of certain barbiturates and levels of brain biogenic amines. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of 14 days of restriction of movement (chronic stress) and hindleg ligation (acute stress) on barbital sodium (200 mg/kg, I.P.) activity and on brain norepinephrine levels and to determine whether the latter two factors were interrelated. SKF-525A (g-diethylaminoethyl-diphenyl-propylacetate) has been previously shown to cause altered barbital activity in stressed rats. The effect, if any, of SKF-525A on brain norepinephrine levels was studied. The possible interrelationship between SKF-525A effects on barbital activity and brain norepinephrine levels was evaluated. In general, norepinephrine levels were higher in chronically stressed than in nonstressed control rats. In general, norepinephrine levels were higher in both chronically stressed and nonstressed groups following barbital anesthesia. Norepinephrine levels were decreased in both chronically stressed and control groups following acute stress. In general, the administration of SKF-525A resulted in higher norepinephrine levels than the levels of comparable animals not treated with SKF-525A. Tolerance to barbital dose II and III was seen in chronically stressed rats. SKF-525A eliminated dose II and III tolerance. Acute stress prior to dose III resulted in increased activity of barbital in both chronically stressed and control groups. SKF-525A and acute stress prior to barbital dose III produced the most marked increase in barbital activity.

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