Influence of triazolam on thermal heat balance in poor sleepers

The influence of a benzodiazepine (triazolam) on the body temperature of poor sleepers during nights disturbed by airplane noises has been examined. Subjects were divided into 3 groups each of 8 men. Following a double-blind design, Group A (controls) received a placebo for 6 consecutive nights, Group B received 0.25 mg triazolam, and Group C received 0.5 mg triazolam on nights N3, N4 and N5. On all other nights Group B and C subjects received placebo. For all 3 groups, nights N3 and N5 were disturbed by 32, semi-randomly distributed airplane noises. Air and wall temperatures (To = 20 degrees C), and air humidity (Tdp = 10 degrees C), were kept constant. Rectal temperature and 4 local skin temperatures were recorded from each subject. Urine samples were collected each morning for measurement of cortisol and catecholamine levels. Noise was found to cause an increase in body heat storage, but only in Group A. Both drug groups showed impairment of body heat balance. The hypothermic action of triazolam could be explained both by a central action of the drug on the thermoregulatory controller and by a peripheral action on blood vessels.