Increase of benzodiazepine binding to the membranes isolated in the presence of diazepam.

The preparation of brain cells in the presence of diazepam leads to a 60-70% increase in benzodiazepine receptor density. Diazepam may promote the dissociation of endogenous inhibitors (modulators) and/or retard the dissociation of benzodiazepin receptors from the membrane to the medium. Routinely used procedures for tissue preparation reveal only part of the benzodiazepine receptors originally present in the tissue.