title: Molsidomine attenuates N(omega)-nitro-L-argininemethylester-induced deficits in a memory task in the rat.
abstract: The present study was designed to investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) on recognition memory in the rat. For this purpose, the effects on memory exerted by post-training administration of the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor N(omega)-nitro-L-argininemethylester (L-NAME) and the NO donor molsidomine were assessed by using the object recognition task. In a first dose-response study, L-NAME, at 30 but not at 10 mg/kg impaired the animals' performance, whereas at 60 mg/kg, it induced side-effects. Molsidomine, 4 mg/kg, antagonized the L-NAME-induced performance deficits. These results indicate that NO is involved in post-training memory processes.
mesh_terms: D000647:Amnesia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008981:Molsidomine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D051381:Rats; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D008981:Molsidomine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; C496322:Nos1 protein, rat; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester