Introduction. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is the antidote for acetaminophen (Tylenol) toxicity from over ingestion leading to 56,000 emergency room visits yearly. This is worrisome due to the risk of hepatoxicity, especially in children and adolescents. Often, nausea and vomiting are associated with NAC use and is treated acutely by ondansetron (Zofran), a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist. Inconveniently, the NAC 21-hour intravenous (IV) infusion needs to be halted with IV flushing before ondansetron can be administered. Another IV flushing follows before NAC is resumed. This causes treatment interruption in a medical emergency; therefore, we are investigating the IV compatibility of NAC and ondansetron to reduce the steps in treating acute nausea/vomiting. Methods. A reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was utilized for NAC quantification. The analysis was conducted on an Agilent Eclpise XDB-C18 column (3.5 micron, 4.6 x 150 mm) with a mobile phase containing acetonitrile (ACN), water (10:90 v/v), and 0.1 % trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). The flow rate was set at 0.500 mL/min with an injection volume of 10 microliters and a temperature of 50oC. A UV wavelength of 212 nm was utilized for detection of NAC. A liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC – MS/MS) method was able to quantify levels of ondansetron. A Waters XBridge C18 column (3.5 micron, 4.6 x 150 mm) was used for separation of ondansetron. The mobile phase included ammonium formate buffer (pH 3.0, 5 mM) and acetonitrile (15:85, v/v) with the flow rate set at 0.500 mL/min. Electrospray ionization interface is set in the positive mode for measurement of ondansetron using a precursor ion of m/z 294.0200. Results. The HPLC-UV and LC-MS/MS methods for NAC and ondansetron, respectively, will be validated for linearity, precision and accuracy. Then the methods will be applied toward a chemical compatibility investigation of NAC and ondansetron through medical grade tubing and y-site. The ideal outcome would be to confidently assume NAC and ondansetron are IV compatible for y-site administration to avoid infusion interruption for treatment of acetaminophen toxicity. Conclusion. IV compatibility for NAC and ondansetron affords no infusion interruptions reducing unnecessary risk of acetaminophen toxicity. This also decreases risk of medical errors based on the multi-step process to administer ondansetron with receiving NAC. Overall, compatibility could create safer, more efficient protocols for treatment of acute nausea/vomiting from NAC administration.

Regensburg, Univ., Diss., 2009.

Due to the need for concurrent use of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and ondansetron in the event of acetaminophen overdose, a Y-site intravenous (IV) apparatus for these drugs would be practical. It is known that nausea and vomiting are common side effects of both acetaminophen overdose and NAC administration. Current standard patient care using NAC involves interruption of IV NAC infusion to give an IV bolus dose of ondansetron, which creates an unnecessary opportunity for healthcare staff errors and patient complications. To evaluate the IV compatibility of NAC and ondansetron, medical grade tubing was connected via a closed-circuit IV pump with separate channels. Doses of NAC were circulated in individual channels based on weight-based dosing protocols (30-kg and 100-kg patient does). Ondansetron (4 mg) was introduced into the flow of NAC using the Y-site. Samples of the circulated solutions were gathered in triplicate at time points of 10, 20, and 30 minutes after combination of ondansetron and NAC. Concentrations of NAC were quantified using a validated high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with ultraviolet (UV) detection. Once the collected samples underwent HPLC-UV analysis, data was produced that showed promise for compatibility between ondansetron and NAC with Y-site infusions. Comparison of NAC concentrations for the channels with and without ondansetron yielded no statistically significant difference between the treatments (p-value of 0.05). From this experiment, we concluded that introduction of ondansetron into the flow of NAC IV would not impact NAC concentration. As mentioned before, this study was conducted using only two doses in vitro, which may be a point for further exploration of a varied number of N-acetylcysteine doses.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:22:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3069.pdf: 1248506 bytes, checksum: f7433967110f92133e73b658f002b2eb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-05-07 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Aversive situations may activate the serotonergic system, which, in turn, emit projections to structures involved in the defense mechanisms such as: septum, hypothalamus, hippocampus, periaqueductal gray and amygdala, producing behavioral alterations that can be characterized as anxiety. Various studies have related the 5-HT3 receptor functions to anxiety-like behaviors. However, serotonin (5-HT) presents a dual role in this modulation. The elevated plus-maze (EPM), based on the rodents natural aversion to open spaces, is one of the most widely employed models used to study anxiety in rodents. Thus, this study investigates the effects of an agonist and an antagonist of 5-HT3 receptors, mCPBG and ondansetron, respectively, on mice exposed to the EPM. Conventional anxiety measures (percentage of open arms entries and percentage of open arms time), locomotor activity (frequency of closed arms entries) and ethological measures related to the risk assessment were registered. The results demonstrated that, in experiments 1 and 2, the intra-amygdala injections of ondansetron (0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 nmol/0.1Ql) and mCPBG (10 and 20 nmol/0.1Ql), produced a decrease and increase, respectively, of the indices of anxiety in mice evaluated on the EPM. In experiment 3, the local ondansetron injection (0.03 nmol/0.1Ql), was able of reverting the anxiogenic effect caused by the mCPBG (10 nmol/0.1Ql). Taken together, these results suggest that the modulation of the 5-HT3 amygdala receptors for the 5-HT receptors in mice, may display an anxiogenic role. / Situações aversivas podem ativar as vias serotoninérgicas, que por sua vez, emitem projeções para estruturas envolvidas no sistema de defesa tais como, septo, hipotálamo, hipocampo, substância cinzenta periaquedutal e amídala, produzindo alterações comportamentais que podem ser caracterizadas como ansiedade. Várias pesquisas relacionam a função de receptores 5-HT3 com comportamentos de ansiedade. Entretanto, a serotonina (5-HT) apresenta um papel dual nesta modulacão. O labirinto em cruz elevado (LCE), que se baseia na aversão natural de roedores a espaços abertos, é um dos modelos amplamente utilizado para o estudo da ansiedade em roedores. Assim, este estudo investigou os efeitos de um agonista e um antagonista de receptores 5-HT3, mCPBG e ondansetron, respectivamente, intra-amídala de camundongos expostos ao LCE. Medidas convencionais de ansiedade (% de entrada e de tempo gasto nos braços abertos), atividade locomotora (freqüência de entrada nos braços fechados) e medidas etológicas relacionadas a avaliação de risco foram registradas. Os resultados mostraram que, nos experimentos 1 e 2, as administrações intra-amídala de ondansetron (0,3, 1,0 e 3,0 nmol/0,1Ql) e mCPBG (10 e 20 nmol/0,1Ql), produziram diminuição e aumento, respectivamente dos índices de ansiedade em camundongos avaliados no LCE. No experimento 3, a injeção local de ondansetron (0,03nmol/0,1Ql), foi capaz de reverter o efeito ansiogênico provocado pelo mCPBG (10 nmol/0,1Ql). Nenhum dos tratamentos alterou a atividade locomotora. Tomados juntos, estes resultados sugerem que a modulação dos receptores 5-HT3 da amídala pela 5-HT em camundongos, pode apresentar papel ansiogênico.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:22:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3795.pdf: 1250266 bytes, checksum: 92066a2c1ad5d8123001121adcd92bc3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-03-02 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Against of stimuli that are dangerous, animals manifest defense reactions that cause fear and anxiety. These stimuli activate the serotonergic system, which sends projections to structures involved in defense mechanisms such as the septum, hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala and periaqueductal gray modulates the behavioral changes that can be characterized as anxiety. Studies have shown that 5-HT3 receptors are part of this modulation. The elevated plus maze (EPM) is a widely used animal model to evaluate the anxiolytic activity of drugs. Currently, it is known that the retest in rodents (rats and mice) increases the avoidance of it, this phenomenon, which refers to "a display of tolerance" (OTT, One Trial Tolerance). The amygdala is a prosencephalic structures that have significant amount of serotonin (5-HT) in this way, recent results from our laboratory have shown that microinjections of ondansetron antagonist 5-HT3 receptors in the amygdala of mice produced anxiolytic-like effect evaluated in LCE. The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of receptors 5-HT3 receptors in the amygdala of mice prior experience the elevated plus-maze (EPM). Conventional measures of anxiety (% of entry and time spent in open arms), locomotor activity (frequency in closed arms) and ethological measures related to risk assessment were recorded. The present study demonstrated that intra-amygdala of ondansetron, antagonist of 5-HT3 receptors, produced anxiolytic-like effects in naive mice and mice prior experience the LCE. The injection of ondansetron in only one of the exhibits produced anxiolytic-like effect, which leads us to conclude that the drug produced no change in memory. Both the Trial 1 and in Trial 2, none treatments affected locomotor activity. So while the amygdala is involved in the neurobiology of the defense reactions such as anxiety response, as it refers to the phenomenon it seems OTT not to participate. / Diante de estímulos que representam perigo os animais manifestam reações de defesa que originam o medo e a ansiedade. Estes estímulos ativam o sistema serotonérgico, o qual emite projeções para estruturas envolvidas nos mecanismos de defesa tais como, septo, hipotálamo, hipocampo, substância cinzenta periaquedutal e amídala, modulando as alterações comportamentais que podem ser caracterizadas como ansiedade. Estudos têm demonstrado que os receptores 5-HT3 fazem parte desta modulação. O labirinto em cruz elevado (LCE) é um modelo animal amplamente utilizado para avaliar a atividade ansiolítica de drogas. Atualmente, sabe-se que o reteste em roedores (ratos e camundongos) aumenta a evitação do mesmo, fenômeno este, que se refere à tolerância de uma exposição (OTT, do inglês One Trial Tolerance). A amídala é uma das estruturas prosencefálicas que apresentam quantidade relevante de serotonina (5-HT), dessa forma, resultados recentes do nosso laboratório demonstram que microinjeções de ondansetron, antagonista dos receptores 5- HT3, na amídala de camundongos, produziu efeito ansiolítico avaliado no LCE. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o envolvimento dos receptores 5-HT3 na amídala de camundongos reexpostos ao labirinto em cruz elevado (LCE). Medidas convencionais de ansiedade (% de entrada e de tempo gasto nos braços abertos), atividade locomotora (freqüência de entrada nos braços fechados) e medidas etológicas relacionadas à avaliação de risco foram registradas. O presente estudo demonstrou que a injeção intra-amídala de ondansetron, antagonista de receptores 5-HT3, produziu efeito ansiolítico tanto em camundongos ingênuos quanto em camundongos reexpostos ao LCE. A injeção de ondansetron em apenas uma das exposições produziu efeito ansiolítico, o que nos leva a concluir que a droga não produziu alteração da memória. Tanto na exposição 1 como na reexposição, nenhum dos tratamentos afetou a atividade locomotora. Portanto, embora a amídala esteja envolvida na neurobiologia das reações de defesa, tais como a resposta de ansiedade, no que se que refere ao fenômeno OTT ela parece não participar.

A ondansetrona (1,2,3,9-tetrahidro-9-metil-3-[(2-metil-1H-imidazol-1-il)metil]-4H-carbazol-ona) é o primeiro fármaco da classe dos antagonistas seletivos dos receptores de serotonina 5-HT3. É utilizada na prevenção de náusea e vômito induzidos por agentes quimioterápicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a equivalência terapêutica através da análise da bioequivalência de dois produtos contendo 8 mg de ondansetrona, sendo um sob a forma de comprimidos de liberação convencional e outro sob a forma de comprimidos de desintegração oral, produzidos por laboratórios distintos. O ensaio de bioequivalência entre o produto teste (Vonau® flash) e o produto referência (Zofran®) foi do tipo randomizado, cruzado e aberto. Os produtos foram administrados por via oral aos voluntários em dose única de 8 mg de ondansetrona. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas até 24 horas após a administração e analisadas através de método de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada a um detector de massas. As curvas médias de decaimento plasmático dos produtos teste (Vonau® flash) e referência (Zofran®) e as médias dos parâmetros farmacocinéticos Cmax (referência: 31,88 ng/mL; teste: 30,42 ng/mL); tmax (referência: 1,99 h; teste: 2,15 h), ASC0-t (referência: 227,66 ng×h/mL; teste: 223,68 ng×h/mL) e ASC0- (referência: 252,76 ng×h/mL; teste: 248,22 ng×h/mL) apresentaram-se semelhantes. O intervalo de confiança 90 % para a razão de Cmax (87,5 % - 103,8 %), ASC0-t (89,3 % - 107,2 %) e ASC0- (89,7 106,0 %) encontram-se entre 80 125 %, dentro dos limites propostos pela ANVISA. Conclui-se que os produtos teste e referência são bioequivalentes, podendo ser administrados de forma intercambiável, sem prejuízo do efeito terapêutico. / Ondansetron (1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-[2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1yl)methyl]-4H-carbazol-one is the first drug of the class of antagonists selective receptor 5-HT3. It is used in the prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy agents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic equivalence examining the bioequivalence of two products containing 8 mg ondansetron, one in the conventional release tablet, and other in oral disintegration tablet produced by different laboratories. The bioequivalence assay between the test product (Vonau® flash) and reference product (Zofran®) was randomized, crossover and open study. The medication was administered in a single dose of 8 mg of ondansetron. Blood samples were collected until 24 hours after administration and analyzed using a validated high-performance liquid chromatographic method with mass spectrometer detection. The average plasmatic decay curves obtained for the test product (Vonau® flash) and reference product (Zofran®) and the averages of pharmacokinetics parameters Cmax (reference: 31.88 ng/mL; test: 30.42 ng/mL); tmax (reference: 1.99 h; test: 2.15 h), AUC0-t (reference: 227.66 ng×h/mL; test: 223.68 ng×h/mL) and AUC0- (reference: 252.76 ng×h/mL; test: 248.22 ng×h/mL) has been similar. The 90 % confidence intervals for the ratio of Cmax (87.5 % - 103.8 %), AUC0-t (89.3 % - 107.2%) and AUC0- (89.7 % - 106.0 %) values for the test and reference products are within the 80 125 % interval proposed by ANVISA. It was concluded that the test and reference products are bioequivalent and can be considered interchangeable in medical practice, without prejudice to the therapeutic effect.

A ondansetrona (1,2,3,9-tetrahidro-9-metil-3-[(2-metil-1H-imidazol-1-il)metil]-4H-carbazol-ona) é o primeiro fármaco da classe dos antagonistas seletivos dos receptores de serotonina 5-HT3. É utilizada na prevenção de náusea e vômito induzidos por agentes quimioterápicos. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a equivalência terapêutica através da análise da bioequivalência de dois produtos contendo 8 mg de ondansetrona, sendo um sob a forma de comprimidos de liberação convencional e outro sob a forma de comprimidos de desintegração oral, produzidos por laboratórios distintos. O ensaio de bioequivalência entre o produto teste (Vonau® flash) e o produto referência (Zofran®) foi do tipo randomizado, cruzado e aberto. Os produtos foram administrados por via oral aos voluntários em dose única de 8 mg de ondansetrona. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas até 24 horas após a administração e analisadas através de método de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência acoplada a um detector de massas. As curvas médias de decaimento plasmático dos produtos teste (Vonau® flash) e referência (Zofran®) e as médias dos parâmetros farmacocinéticos Cmax (referência: 31,88 ng/mL; teste: 30,42 ng/mL); tmax (referência: 1,99 h; teste: 2,15 h), ASC0-t (referência: 227,66 ng×h/mL; teste: 223,68 ng×h/mL) e ASC0- (referência: 252,76 ng×h/mL; teste: 248,22 ng×h/mL) apresentaram-se semelhantes. O intervalo de confiança 90 % para a razão de Cmax (87,5 % - 103,8 %), ASC0-t (89,3 % - 107,2 %) e ASC0- (89,7 106,0 %) encontram-se entre 80 125 %, dentro dos limites propostos pela ANVISA. Conclui-se que os produtos teste e referência são bioequivalentes, podendo ser administrados de forma intercambiável, sem prejuízo do efeito terapêutico. / Ondansetron (1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-[2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1yl)methyl]-4H-carbazol-one is the first drug of the class of antagonists selective receptor 5-HT3. It is used in the prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy agents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic equivalence examining the bioequivalence of two products containing 8 mg ondansetron, one in the conventional release tablet, and other in oral disintegration tablet produced by different laboratories. The bioequivalence assay between the test product (Vonau® flash) and reference product (Zofran®) was randomized, crossover and open study. The medication was administered in a single dose of 8 mg of ondansetron. Blood samples were collected until 24 hours after administration and analyzed using a validated high-performance liquid chromatographic method with mass spectrometer detection. The average plasmatic decay curves obtained for the test product (Vonau® flash) and reference product (Zofran®) and the averages of pharmacokinetics parameters Cmax (reference: 31.88 ng/mL; test: 30.42 ng/mL); tmax (reference: 1.99 h; test: 2.15 h), AUC0-t (reference: 227.66 ng×h/mL; test: 223.68 ng×h/mL) and AUC0- (reference: 252.76 ng×h/mL; test: 248.22 ng×h/mL) has been similar. The 90 % confidence intervals for the ratio of Cmax (87.5 % - 103.8 %), AUC0-t (89.3 % - 107.2%) and AUC0- (89.7 % - 106.0 %) values for the test and reference products are within the 80 125 % interval proposed by ANVISA. It was concluded that the test and reference products are bioequivalent and can be considered interchangeable in medical practice, without prejudice to the therapeutic effect.

Introduction: Nausea and vomiting are the most common and distressing side effects of chemotherapy because they negatively impact on quality of life and treatment compliance. Adequate control of nausea and vomiting in children receiving chemotherapy is imperative. Currently, the first-line drug for the prophylaxis and treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in paediatric patients is the serotonin (5HT3) receptor antagonist, ondansetron, administered intravenously. However, the parenteral route of administration of this drug is now being questioned as it is inconvenient for children and there is pressure to switch to an available oral formulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ease of administration, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of intravenous (IV) and oral tablet (OT) formulations of ondansetron in paediatric cancer patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, Gauteng (South Africa).Methods: It was an open-label, parallel, randomized trial. Thirty (30) patients scheduled to receive moderately emetogenic chemotherapy were recruited from the paediatric oncology department of the hospital. These patients were randomized to receive the same dose of either IV or OT ondansetron for the prophylaxis of CINV for one chemotherapy cycle. The efficacy of the agents was determined using a visual analogue scale (VAS) completed by the paediatric patients, which was compared to a one page questionnaire completed by the parents of the patients. Both questionnaires were completed at the end of chemotherapy (treatment period) as well as after a week without chemotherapy treatment (follow-up period). The patients’ plasma concentrations of ondansetron at four different time points were quantified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The ondansetron plasma concentrations obtained in the IV group were compared to those obtained in the OT group. The cost-effectiveness calculations included the direct costs of antiemetic prophylaxis and treatment, the use of any rescue medication and the length of hospital stay. Results: The VAS revealed that patients who were given antiemetic prophylaxis with OT ondansetron experienced less acute and delayed nausea than the patients in the IV ondansetron group; however, these differences were not statistically significant (p=0.538). Vomiting was similar in the two groups (p=1). There was a statistically significant difference between the patients and their parents in the perception of acute nausea (p=0.018), with parents overstating the level of acute nausea felt by their children. The plasma concentrations of ondansetron in patients on the IV formulation were higher than the ones in patients on the OT formulation at all the time points investigated. At 30 minutes post-dosing the mean plasma concentration of ondansetron in the IV group was significantly higher than in the OT group (p=0.0015), but the differences in plasma concentrations between the two groups from 2 hours were fairly comparable. The cost of antiemetic prophylaxis for IV ondansetron was significantly higher than the cost of antiemetic prophylaxis using the equivalent OT dose (p=0.0351). Conclusion: For the prevention of CINV, OT ondansetron, a 5HT3 receptor antagonist, proved to be an easy to use and cost-effective alternative to IV ondansetron in paediatric cancer patients receiving moderately emetogenic chemotherapy treatment. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria / Pharmacology / unrestricted

Postoperativt illamående och kräkningar, PONV, har sedan anestesins begynnelse vållat patienten stort lidande. Tillståndet kan förlänga den postoperativa vistelsen och är en av de vanligaste orsakerna till oplanerad inläggning av patienter i samband med dagkirurgi. Syftet med föreliggande arbete var att undersöka den förebyggande effekten av akupressur som ensam intervention eller i kombination med viss farmakologisk antiemetisk terapi vid postoperativt illamående och kräkningar hos vuxna patienter efter allmänkirurgi. En systematisk litteraturstudie genomfördes och tio vetenskapliga artiklar inkluderades och kvalitetsbedömdes. Sökning utfördes i databaserna PubMed, EBSCO HOST och Cochrane Library. Dessutom genomfördes manuell sökning. Resultatet visade att akupressur på en speciell triggerpunkt, P6, har en förebyggande effekt mot PONV. Ondansetron och akupressur är lika effektivt mot PONV, medan Droperidol verkar ha bättre effekt än akupressur. Slutsatsen var att akupressur har en plats som profylaktisk antiemetika för att förebygga PONV. / Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) has since the beginning of anesthesia caused the patient great suffering. It can prolong the post-operative stay and is one of the most common reasons for unplanned admittance of patients in connection to day surgery. The aim of this work was to study the preventive effect of acupressure as the lone intervention or in combination with certain pharmacological antiemetic therapies for post-operative nausea and vomiting in adult patients who have undergone general surgery. A systematic literature review was conducted and ten articles were included and each study subjected to a quality assessment. A PubMed, EBSCO HOST and Cochrane Library Database were conducted and a manual search of the literature references completed the search.The results showed that acupressure at the P6 meridian point has a preventive effect against PONV and that Ondansetron and acupressure are similarly effective against PONV, while Droperidal seems to have a better effect than acupressure. The conclusion was that acupressure can be used prophylactic to prevent PONV.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:22:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 4470.pdf: 1297687 bytes, checksum: f9b62c4b271de961a3a6053528edf8c2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-10 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / Animal models have often been used to investigate the neurobiology of emotional states (fear and anxiety). In this sense, the elevated plus maze (EPM) and the rat exposure test are effective to evaluate these states and EPM exposure (aversive stimulus) can result in activation of serotonergic pathways with projections to structures belonging to the defense system, such as , amygdala, septum, hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray (PAG) and hippocampus. The hippocampus has a large amount of serotonin receptors (5- HT) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). In the present study, we used male mice of Swiss Albino, received surgical implantation of guide cannula and subsequent administration of drugs in the ventral hippocampus. After recovery, the animals were tested in EPM (Experiment 1 and 2) or the test exposure to the rat (Experiment 3 and 4). In Experiment 1, administration of midazolam (3.0 and 30.0 nmol) produced anxiolytic effect characterized by increased percentages of entries and time spent in the open arms of the EPM reduction measures and ethological (risk assessment) as percentages of dives stretched and secured. In Experiment 2, mice received combined injections Saline + Saline, Saline + MDZ, ondansetron (OND) + Saline and MDZ (30.0 nmol) + OND (0.03 nmol, antagonist of 5-HT3). Combined treatment of Sal + MDZ produced anxiolytic effect and this effect was reversed by the combined administration of OND + MDZ. The porcentanges of entries and time spent in open arms were lower (P> 0.05) than those found in group Sal + MDZ. Experiment 3 showed the effects of exposure of mice in the presence of mouse toy (RB = neutral stimulus) or mouse real (VR = aversive stimulus, Long Evans rats), under the administration of midazolam (3.0 14 and 30.0nmol). The animals were exposed to RV shortening the holding box (model effect) compared to animals exposed to RB. Animals treated with MDZ in two doses, there was an increase in transitions between the sides of the apparatus, increased time in the area of operation and increases the latency of escape to the protected area and contact time with the grid. In Experiment 4, we evaluated the effect of combined injection of midazolam and ondansetron protocol (Experiment 2). The MDZ 30.0 nmol produced anxiolytic effects and the blockade of this effect when the mice were combined administration of ondansetron and midazolam in the ventral hippocampus. Data from this study suggest that, first, control over emotional reactions and defense of the ventral hippocampus of mice exposed to EPM test or exposure to the rat are mediated via GABABenzodiazepines. Furthermore, there is a likely cross-modulation between GABAergic interneurons and 5-HT3, for blocking 5-HT3 via ondansetron can decrease the GABA release. / Modelos animais têm sido frequentemente utilizados para a investigação da neurobiologia dos estados emocionais (ansiedade e medo). Neste sentido, o labirinto em cruz elevado (LCE) e teste de exposição ao rato são eficazes para avaliar esses estados e a exposição ao LCE (situação aversiva) pode resultar em ativação das vias serotonérgicas com projeções para estruturas pertencentes ao sistema de defesa, tais como, amídala, septo, hipotálamo, substância cinzenta periaquedutal (SCP) e hipocampo. O hipocampo apresenta grande quantidade de receptores de serotonina (5-HT) e do ácido gama-aminobutírico (GABA). No presente estudo, foram utilizados camundongos machos, da cepa Suíco Albino, que receberam implantação cirúrgica de cânulas guia e posterior administração de drogas no hipocampo ventral. Após recuperação, os animais foram avaliados nos testes LCE (Experimento 1 e 2) ou exposição ao rato (Experimento 3 e 4). No Experimento 1, a administração de midazolam (3,0 e 30 nmol) produziu efeito ansiolítico caracterizado pelo aumento das porcentagens de entradas e tempo gasto nos braços abertos do LCE e redução de medidas etológicas (avaliação de risco) como porcentagens de mergulhos e esticadas protegidas. No Experimento 2, os camundongos receberam injeção combinada de Salina+Salina, Salina+MDZ, ondansetron (OND)+Salina e MDZ (30 nmol) + OND (0,03 nmol, antagonista dos receptores 5-HT3). O tratamento combinado de Sal+MDZ produziu, efeito ansiolítico sendo este revertido pela administração combinada de OND+MDZ. As porcentagens de entradas e tempo gasto nos braços abertos foram menores (P>0,05) do que àqueles encontrados no grupo Sal+MDZ. O Experimento 3 mostrou os efeitos da exposição dos camundongos na presença 12 do rato de brinquedo (RB= estímulo neutro) ou rato de verdade (RV= estímulo aversivo, rato Long Evans), sob a administração de Midazolam (3,0 e 30 nmol). Os animais expostos ao RV apresentaram diminuição do tempo de exploração da caixa (efeito do modelo) quando comparados aos animais expostos ao RB. Para os animais tratados com MDZ nas duas doses, houve aumento nas transições entre os lados do aparato, aumento do tempo na área de exploração e aumentos da latência de fuga para a área protegida e tempo de contato com a grade. No Experimento 4, foi avaliado o efeito da injeção combinada de midazolam e ondansetron (conforme descrito no Experimento 2). O MDZ 30 nmol produziu efeito ansiolítico e a administração combinada de ondansetron e midazolam no hipocampo ventral, reverteu este efeito. Os dados deste trabalho sugerem que, o controle sobre as reações emocionais e de defesa do hipocampo ventral de camundongos expostos ao LCE ou ao teste de exposição ao rato são mediados via receptores GABA-Benzodiazepínicos. Além disso, provavelmente ocorre modulação cruzada entre os interneurônios GABAérgicos e os serotoninérgicos do tipo 5-HT3, pois o bloqueio desses receptores com o ondansetron, pode diminuir a liberação de GABA.