title: Inhibitory effect of nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors on naloxone-precipitated withdrawal syndrome in morphine-dependent mice.
abstract: The effect of intraperitoneally administered nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors has been examined on the naloxone-precipitated withdrawal syndrome in morphine-dependent mice. L-NAME (30-200 mg/kg) and L-NOARG (7.5-50 mg/kg) induced a significant decrease of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal jumping and diarrhoea. However, L-NMMA (3.5-100 mg/kg), considered as a less potent NO synthase inhibitor, did not significantly affect the withdrawal signs in mice. Although a specificity of NO synthase inhibitors is not fully established, these results indicate that inhibition of NO synthesis in the central nervous system and periphery may significantly affect the morphine withdrawal phenomena. Accordingly, this study suggests an involvement of NO in morphine withdrawal syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Cappendijk
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Dzoljic
mesh_terms: D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009021:Morphine Dependence / Q000523:psychology*; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D009270:Naloxone / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D019335:Nitroarginine; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine
chemical_list: D019335:Nitroarginine; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009270:Naloxone; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D000594:Amino Acid Oxidoreductases; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester