Anxiolytic effects of acute morphine can be modulated by nitric oxide systems.
This study was performed to investigate whether nitric oxide (NO) precursor (L-arginine), NO donor (S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, SNAP) and NO synthase inhibitors [N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methylester (L-NAME) and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG)] modulate morphine-induced anxiolytic effects in the plus-maze. L-Arginine (100, 200 and 300 mg kg(-1), i.p.) and SNAP (4, 8 and 10 mg kg(-1), i.p.) reduced the anxiolytic effect of morphine (20 mg kg(-1), s.c.). L-NAME (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, i.p.) and L-NOARG (10, 15 and 20 mg kg(-1), i.p.) enhanced the anxiolytic effects of morphine (20 mg kg(-1), s.c.). On the other hand, L-arginine and SNAP increased the morphine-induced locomotor activity. L-NAME decreased the morphine-induced locomotor activity, but L-NOARG did not modify the morphine-induced locomotor activity. Therefore, these results suggest that the anxiolytic effects of morphine can be modulated by NO systems.
Shin
Im-Chul
IC
Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, South Korea.
Kim
Hyoung-Chun
HC
Swanson
Jeffrey
J
Hong
Jin-Tae
JT
Oh
Ki-Wan
KW
D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000494:pharmacology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D019335:Nitroarginine / Q000494:pharmacology; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects; D026423:S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine / Q000494:pharmacology
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D019335:Nitroarginine; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009020:Morphine; D026423:S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine; D001120:Arginine; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester