Local cerebral glucose utilization in decerebrate rigidity in rats and effects of tizanidine and diazepam

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Pharmacology 1989, Vol.49 (suppl), p.272-272
• Main Authors: Nakamura, Takeshi, Ono, Hideki, Fukuda, Hideomi, Kozuka, Masao, Tanabe, Mitsuo, Iwata, Nobuyoshi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0021-5198; 1347-3506
• DOI: 10.1016/S0021-5198(19)56652-5

Local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) was investigated in decerebrate rigidity in rats, using the [14 C] 2-deoxyglucose (2 DG) method, in order to identify the site responsible for the rigidity. Decerebrate rigidity was produced by radio frequency lesion. Thirty μCi of 2 DG was injected intravenously, and LCGU values were calculated according to the method of Sokoloff et al. Compared with the normal rats, LCGU values of the medial vestibular nucleus and the cerebellar nucleus in the decerebrated rats were significantly increased. Tizanidine-HCl at 10 mg/kg, p.o. and diazepam at 5 mg/kg, p.o. decreased the increased LCGU values of the vestibular nucleus and the cerebellar nucleus in the decerebrated rats. These drugs were especially effective on the vestibular nucleus. These results suggest that the cerebellarvestibular system is involved in the development of decerebrate rigidity and is a possible site of action of tizanidine and diazepam.