Regulation of cardiac and renal peripheral benzodiazepine receptor binding in rapid eye movement sleep-deprived rats

This study was designed to examine the effects of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation and stress on the properties of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs). Rats were deprived of REM sleep for 96 hours by a small pedestal (water tank) method. Using radioligand assays with the selective antagonist [ 3H]PK11195, receptor density (Bmax) and affinity were measured in the heart and kidney in three groups: 1) REMSD group (REM sleep deprived-group), 2) TC group (tank control group; large pedestal), and 3) CC group (cage control group). REMSD group showed an increase in the density of PBRs in the heart (18%; p