Effects of the calcium channel blocker nimodipine on nicotine-induced locomotion in rats.
The effects of nimodipine, an L-type calcium channel antagonist, on nicotine-induced locomotor activity were investigated in drug-naive rats. Nicotine (0.4 mg/kg i.p.) produced significant increases in locomotion following acute administration. However, when rats were given injections of nimodipine (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg i.p.) 1 h prior to the test drug, nicotine-induced locomotor activity was altered. Nimodipine 5 mg did not significantly block locomotor activity produced by nicotine. In contrast, pretreatment with 10 and 20 mg nimodipine significantly blocked nicotine-induced locomotor activity. These findings clearly indicate that nicotine-induced locomotion is altered by nimodipine in a dose-dependent fashion. Results further suggest that the effect of nicotine on locomotion is calcium-dependent.
Hart
C
C
Department of Psychology, University of Wyoming, Laramie 82071, USA.
Kisro
N A
NA
Robinson
S L
SL
Ksir
C
C
D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D009538:Nicotine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D009553:Nimodipine; D009538:Nicotine