Acute effects of zopiclone on blood glucose level and serum lipids in hyperlipidemic rats. Interactions with PK 11195 and flumazenil.

UNLABELLED: Intraperitoneal administration of 5 mg/kg zopiclone a cyclopyrolone acting on the central benzodiazepine receptors was found to produce significant reduction of total lipids, total cholesterol and triglyceride in rats randered hyperlipidemic by intraperitoneal injection of Triton W-1339. Blood glucose level was also reduced. Flumazenil (10 mg/kg) potentiated the hypoglicemic effect of zopiclone but had no additional effect on serum lipids. PK 11195 (25 mg/kg) antagonized the hypolipidemic effects of zopiclone.

IN CONCLUSION: 1. The central benzodiazepine receptors are not involved in the hypolipidemic activity of zopiclone. 2. The peripheral type benzodiazepine receptors are partly responsible, for the hypolipidemic activity of this cyclopirrolone. 3. The changes of blood glucose level induced by these drugs does not seem to be related to benzodiazepine receptors.