Studies on the Analysis of Prefrontal Cortex Cholinergic System in Female Rats Exposed to Alprazolam.

INTRODUCTION: The study of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) cholinergic system in female ratsexposed to alprazolam has garnered attention due to the complex interaction between the brain'sneurotransmitter systems and psychiatric drug treatment. Alprazolam, a widely prescribedbenzodiazepine, is primarily used for treating anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxietydisorder and panic disorder. While the anxiolytic effects of alprazolam are well-documented, theunderlying neurobiological mechanisms, particularly in the cholinergic system of the prefrontalcortex (PFC), remain poorly understood. The aim of this study is to investigate and analyze theeffects of prolonged alprazolam exposure on the prefrontal cortex cholinergic system in femalewistar rats.METHODOLOGY: A total of 15 Adult female wistar rats weighing (240g – 270g) rats wereprocured from the Department of Anatomy Animal House. The rats were grouped into three (3)groups, group 1-3 consist of five (5) female rats each. Standard control (0.5ml of phosphate buffersaline), Low dose female 0.5mg/kg of Alprazolam, and High dose female 1mg/kg of Alprazolam.Administration was oral, using an oral cannula for 28days. The Wistar rats were sacrificed afterthe 28th day, with the use of cervical dislocation. The fixative use for the preservation of tissueafter sacrificing is Phosphate buffer saline for the biochemical analysis.RESULT: There was an increase in body weight of female rats administered 0.5mg/kg weight and1mg/kg weight Alprazolam and there is increase in female brain weight of 0.5mg/kg weight and1m/kg of female wistar rat. The Biochemical result (ACH) Indicate an increase in theAcetylcholine level of female wistar rat administered 0.5mg/kg and 1.5mg/kg compared to thecontrol group. The Biochemical result (ACHE) indicated a decrease in the Acetylcholinesteraselevel of female wistar rats 0.5mg/kg and 1mg/kg female compared to the control groups.DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: From this study, we have been able to see that prolongedadministration of Alprazolam has effect on the Prefrontal cortex cholinergic system of the femalewistar rats, through decrease in body weight of female and increase in brain weight of female rat