In vitro effect of alprazolam on TNF-α release from normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. A brief definitive report

Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of alprazolam (a triazolobenzodiazepine) to reduce Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α release in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administered mice. In this report, we tested the effect of alprazolam supplemented to unstimulated or stimulated by LPS normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures in terms of TNF-α release. Data show no significant effects of alprazolam on both spontaneous and induced release of TNF-α. However, the therapeutic design based on the administration of alprazolam to patients with elevated serum levels of TNF-α (e.g. septic subjects or HIV-infected individuals) merits to be pursued.