Abstract
To test the respiratory effects of benzodiazepines in an established animal model of central apnea, we administered nonhypnotic and hypnotic doses of diazepam to nine adult male Sprague-Dawley rats chronically instrumented for sleep staging. In random order on separate days, rats were recorded following intraperitoneal injection of: (1) saline; (2) 0.05 mg/kg diazepam; or (3) 5 mg/kg diazepam. Normalized inspiratory minute ventilation increased significantly during wakefulness and non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep following each dose of diazepam (p < 0.003 in each case) and following the highest dose during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (p = 0.01). In accord with this respiratory stimulation, non-REM-related spontaneous and post-sigh apnea expression decreased following each dose of diazepam (p = 0.006 to 0.04), but REM-related apnea expression was unaffected despite significant respiratory stimulation. The durations of non-REM and REM sleep were unaffected by the low dose, but following 5 mg/kg of diazepam non-REM sleep was increased (p = 0.03) and REM sleep was decreased (p = 0.009). We conclude that both hypnotic and non-hypnotic doses of benzodiazepines may be associated with suppression of sleep-related central apnea. We further conclude that non-REM and REM-related apneas arise from at least partially distinct mechanisms.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
