Abstract
The effect of the benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil (10 and 20 mg/Kg) on righting reflex, body weight, body temperature, and proteins, cholesterol and phospholipids of the brain was examined in new born male and female mouse pups. In males, the level of brain cholesterol was increased by the low dose but diminished by the high dose. On the contrary, the amount of phospholipids and protein was diminished by the low dose and increased by the high dose. In females, the level of phospholipids was reduced by 10 mg/Kg but was increased by 20 mg/Kg. Flumazenil dose-dependently decreased the level of proteins, although the quantity of brain cholesterol was similar to males Postnatal exposure to flumazenil did not influence righting reflex, body weight and body temperature although prenatal exposure to the drug retarded the formermentioned response. Postnatal flumazenil clearly had a very profound effect on biochemical measures in mice, which could reflect the antagonist's powerful fluidising effects on neuromembranes.
