What is the proposed target and mechanism of action of high dose diazepam in chloroquine toxicity?
The peripheral type benzodiazepine receptor (TSPO- Translator Protein) has been suggested as a target for the observed cardioprotective effect of high dose diazepam in chloroquine toxicity. Diazepam has been demonstrated in animal models to have an inotropic effect on the myocardium which is abolished by the introduction of a peripheral type benzodiazepine receptor antagonist. (Riou B, Barriot P, Rimailho A, Baud FJ. Treatment of severe chloroquine poisoning. N Engl J Med. 1988 Jan 7;318(1):1-6. Leeuwin RS, et al. PK 11195 antagonizes the positive inotropic response of the isolated rat heart to diazepam but not the negative inotropic response. Eur J Pharmacol. 1996;299:149–152. J. Crouzette, E. Vicaut, S. Palombo, C. Girre & P. E. Fournier (1983) Experimental Assessment of the Protective Activity of Diazepam on the Acute Toxicity of Chloroquine, Journal of Toxicology: Clinical Toxicology, 20:3, 271-279, DOI: 10.3109/15563658308990070)