Effects Of Diazepam Administration Research Articles

The Effects of Diazepam Administration on Hemodynamic Variables in Hypertensive Patients Who Undergoing Cataract Surgery

Background: The purpose of this study was the evaluation of diazepam administration on perioperative blood pressure in hypertensive patients who undergoing cataract surgery.
 Methods: Eighty controlled hypertensive patients who underwent cataract surgery under topical anesthesia and conscious sedation were enrolled in this study. All patients were randomly divided to two equal size group for administration of diazepam 0.05 mg/kg (n=40, diazepam group) and midazolam 0.01 mg/kg (n=40, midazolam group) in order to conscious sedation. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation were recorded preoperatively as baseline value, and then 5, 10 and 15 minutes after diazepam or midazolam administration.
 Results: There were no difference between two groups in terms of systolic, diastolic and heart rate preoperatively. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure was decreased significantly more in diazepam group compared to midazolam group perioperatively. Heart rate did not change significantly in both groups. Oxygen saturation of blood was decreased in both groups but not statistically significant. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability during each period intraoperatively was lower in diazepam group compared to another group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure of patients during recovery room in diazepam group was lower than midazolam group.
 Conclusion: In hypertensive patients who undergoing cataract surgery with topical anesthesia, administration of diazepam in order to conscious sedation is an effective and safe method with less perioperatively side effects

Effects of Diazepam Administration on Melatonin Synthesis in the Rat Pineal Gland in Vivo.

The effect of diazepam (DZP) on melatonin synthesis in rat pineal gland was investigated in vivo. Subcutaneous injection of DZP (3 mg/kg) 1 h before the start of darkness significantly suppressed nocturnal elevations of pineal N-acetylserotonin (NAS) and melatonin contents in rats, and caused a 2-h delay in reaching the maximum melatonin level in the dark phase. DZP treatment also markedly suppressed the dark-induced increase of pineal N-acetyltransferase activity, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step in melatonin synthesis, but had no effect on hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase activity, which catalyzes the final step of melatonin formation. Pineal norepinephrine and dopamine contents, in contrast, were not altered by DZP injection. The distribution rate of DZP to the brain reached the highest level 30 min after a single injection, while that to the pineal gland was observed 5 h later (i.e., 4 h after the start of darkness). It is clear that the inhibitory effect of DZP on melatonin synthesis in rat pineal gland appears concomitantly with the increase in the distribution volume of DZP into this gland. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of DZP on melatonin synthesis results from the drug's direct action on the rat pineal gland.

The effect of diazepam administration during pregnancy or labor on the heart rate variability of the newborn infant

Maternal diazepam medication during labor reduces beat-to-beat variability of the fetal heart rate. In this study, the prolongation of the effect was examined in the newborn. The mother received diazepam: (A) during labor as a tranquilizer, (B) daily in low doses at the end of pregnancy, or (C) in high doses i.v. for (pre-)eclampsia. A control group had no analgesic or sedative during pregnancy or labor. The electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded daily from each newborn during the first 6 days after birth. After preprocessing of the ECG, the median R-R interval, the long-term irregularity index (LTI index) and the interval difference index (ID index) were calculated. A cubic spline interpolation method was applied to compare the various groups with respect to these heart rate parameters. The median R-R interval showed no particular differences in trend for all groups. The LTI index was decreased in the first days after birth in the chronic diazepam (B), and in the diazepam infusion groups (C), but statistical significance was not reached. The ID index was significantly decreased in the first 1-2 days in the newborns of the acute and chronic diazepam group. In the diazepam infusion group, an even longer lasting effect was observed. Maternal diazepam medication affects the beat-to-beat variability in the newborn. The duration of the effect is dependent on dosage and route of administration.