Diazepam,Alpha and Beta Neurotransmission Modifying Drugs and Contrast Media Mortality in Mice

Abstract

Drugs influencing neurotransmission (alpha_1,2, beta_1,2 agonists, antagonists and diazepam) were given intraperitoneally to test their effects on the mortality of intravenous meglumine diatrizoate. Pretreatment with diazepam in two doses (0.14 and 0.56 mg/kg), alpha_1,2 agonist, beta₁ agonist and beta₁ antagonist affected LD₅₀ so that 5 to 9 per cent more contrast medium could be administered to cause the same mortality as the contrast medium alone. Still higher (19–24%) doses could be used after an alpha_1,2 or alpha₁ antagonist. The beta_{1, 2} antagonist employed in the test decreased the contrast dosage by 13 per cent, causing the LD₅₀.