Sleep and nitric oxide: effects of 7-nitro indazole, inhibitor of brain nitric oxide synthase.
We examined the effect of 7-nitro indazole (7-NI, 2.5-50 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of central nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, on general behaviour and sleep. The results show that 7-NI induces ptosis, a loss of the righting reflex and decrease of the EEG amplitudes. Furthermore, a duration of slow wave sleep (SWS) and REM sleep decreased, while the latencies of SWS and REM sleep increased. The effects of 7-NI on general behaviour and sleep were partially antagonized by intraventricular administration of the NO precursor, L-arginine (600 micrograms). These findings indicate that 7-NI induces a state of prominent central depression associated with motor deficit and decrease in sleep stages and wakefulness. It further suggests that NO exerts a significant excitatory effect on the neuronal structure involved in the regulation of locomotion and vigilance.
Dzoljic
M R
MR
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
de Vries
R
R
van Leeuwen
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D001763:Blepharoptosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007191:Indazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007191:Indazoles; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; C080122:7-nitroindazole