Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase causes anxiolytic-like behaviour in an elevated plus-maze.
The action of inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthase by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (1-20 mg kg-1) on the exploratory behaviour of rats in the elevated plus-maze was studied. L-NAME induced an anxiolytic-like effect in the plus-maze test, showing a reverse U-shape action behaviour, with a maximal effect at 10 mg kg-1. This effect was not related to a non-specific increase in motor activity, since in the open field test L-NAME did not affect locomotor activity of rats. Pretreatment of rats with L-NAME (1-10 mg kg-1) also tended to attenuate the anti-exploratory action of CCK agonist caerulein (5 micrograms kg-1), but this action was not significant. In conclusion, it appears that NO may be involved in the process that can lead to anxiety in the rat.
D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002108:Ceruletide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D002766:Cholecystokinin / Q000819:agonists; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents; D002108:Ceruletide; D002766:Cholecystokinin; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester