Further studies on the determinant role of brain level of pentobarbital for the development of acute hypnotic tolerance.

Controlling the brain level of pentobarbital and the duration of hypnosis at the initial treatment in relation to development of acute hypnotic tolerance was studied. Simultaneous treatment of bemegride or TRH with pentobarbital attenuated the hypnotic effect of pentobarbital in a dose dependent manner, but neither the brain level of pentobarbital nor the development of tolerance was modified by this treatment. The effect of TRH was further demonstrated in rats by concomitant intracarotidal infusion with pentobarbital maintaining the brain concentration of pentobarbital and also the duration of exposure of the brain to pentobarbital under a constant condition. On the other hand, THC significantly prolonged the hypnosis induced by pentobarbital but did not potentiate the effect of pentobarbital to develop acute tolerance. Thus, the brain level of pentobarbital at the initial treatment is the primary determinant for the development of acute tolerance and the duration of hypnosis is not the essential factor in this mechanism.