Immunomodulating effects of tofizopam (Grandaxin) and diazepam in vitro

Benzodiazepines (BDZs) are known to act not only in the central nervous system, but on peripheral cells and tissues binding to the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors. In the present study, the influence of two different BDZs (diazepam (Dz) and tofizopam (Tof) on several immune functions has been examined in vitro. Some differences between Dz and Tof in their effects on human lymphocyte proliferative response, changes in glucocorticoid-induced suppression of cell proliferation and influence on cytokine production (tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-2 (IL-2)) have been determined. Dz suppressed mitogen-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation, enhanced dexamethasone-induced inhibition of PBMC proliferative response, and suppressed lymphocyte production of TNF-alpha and IL-2. Tof usually enhanced PBMC proliferation and IL-2 production in low and moderate doses, but in high doses it suppressed both. Tof in all investigated doses enhanced dexamethasone-induced suppression of lymphocyte proliferation and depressed TNF-alpha production. Thus, both Dz and Tof are shown to have immunomodulating effects in vitro. Tof, opposite to Dz even in the therapeutic doses, is able to enhance in vitro mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and IL-2 production.