Effects of some benzodiazepine derivatives on Triton WR-1339-Induced hyperlipidaemia in rats

Oral administration of the benzodiazepines (diazepam, lorazepam, chlordiazepoxide, bipotassium chlorazepate) in Triton WR-1339-induced (200 mg/kg, blood collection 18 h later) hyperlipidaemia in rats elicited marked decrease of serum total lipids, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and alterations in free fatty acid and free glycerol content. The optimal doses for diazepam, lorazepam, chlordiazepoxide and bipotassium chlorazepate were estimated to be 5 mg/kg. Other benzodiazepines, namely oxazepam, medazepam and nitrazepam, elicited only minor changes in serum lipids levels, while with grandaxin no change was observed. The optimal doses of diazepam and lorazepam brought about the same changes in serum lipid content as did clofibrate (90 mg/kg, p. o.). If diazepam, lorazepam, chlordiazepoxide and bipotassium chlorazepate were administered in doses of 5 mg/kg in Triton WR-1339-treated rats (blood collection taken 3 h later), a significant decrease of total lipids and triglyceride levels was observed. The free glycerol level only altered after the administration of chlordiazepoxide, which brought about a significant reduction.