Nitric oxide synthesis inhibition attenuates morphine-induced place preference.
Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in the actions of opioids. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of NO in the mechanisms mediating the rewarding effects of morphine. Therefore, the influence of NO synthase inhibitor L-N-nitroarginine (L-NOARG) on morphine-induced place preference in rats was studied. L-NOARG, when given at 20 mg/kg, IP, significantly inhibited the effect of morphine. L-NOARG by itself, when administered at 5 or 20 mg/kg, IP, appeared to have no reliable effect on place conditioning. The results suggest a possible role of NO in the opioid reward process.
Kivastik
T
T
Department of Pharmacology, University of Tartu, Estonia.
Rutkauskaite
J
J
Zharkovsky
A
A
D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009294:Narcotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D019335:Nitroarginine; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D009294:Narcotics; D019335:Nitroarginine; D009020:Morphine; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase