[Changes in GABAA/benzodiazepine receptor complex function in the pentobarbital-dependent rat. II: Strain differences...

We studied the differences in alterations of GABAAergic receptor function between pentobarbital (PB)-dependent female Lewis (LEW) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The 36Cl- influx induced by 10 microM GABA in the PB-dependent WKY was significantly lower than that in the control, while there was no significant 36Cl- influx change in both PB-dependent and control LEW. The additions of PB, flunitrazepam (FZ) and ethanol (EtOH) enhanced the GABA-dependent 36Cl- influx in control rats of both strains. However, the enhancements of 36Cl- influx by PB, FZ, EtOH were not recognized in PB-dependent WKY. On the other hand, the enhancement of GABA-dependent 36Cl- influx was observed only with the addition of PB in PB-dependent LEW. The additions of bicuculline (BIC) and picrotoxin (PIC) inhibited GABA-dependent 36Cl- influx in control rats of both strains. However, inhibition of 36Cl- influx by BIC and PIC was not recognized in the PB-dependent WKY. These results suggest that physical dependence on PB in WKY may cause greater functional alterations of the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex than those in LEW, and that these changes in this receptor complex may relate to the difference in the development of physical dependence on PB between the two strains.