title: Effects of NOS inhibitors on the benzodiazepines-induced memory impairment of mice in the modified elevated plus-maze task.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors on responses, elicited by benzodiazepines (BZs) in a modified elevated plus-maze task in mice. It was shown that acute doses of diazepam (DZ; 1 and 2 mg/kg) and flunitrazepam (FNZ; 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/kg) significantly increased the time of transfer latency (TL2) in a retention trial, thus confirming memory impairing effects of BZs. l-NAME (N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester; 200 mg/kg), a non-selective inhibitor of NOS, and 7-NI (7-nitroindazole; 40 mg/kg), a selective inhibitor of NOS, further intensified DZ-induced memory impairment. On the other hand, L-NAME (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and 7-NI (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) prevented FNZ-induced memory compromising process. The results of this study indicated that suppressed NO synthesis enhanced DZ-induced but prevented FNZ-induced memory impairment. Taken together, these findings could suggest NO involvement in BZs-induced impairment of memory processes. The precise mechanism of these controversial effects, however, remains elusive.
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 4A, 20-093, Lublin, Poland. jolanta.orzelska@umlub.pl
authors: Jolanta
authors: J
authors: Orzelska
authors: Sylwia
authors: S
authors: Talarek
authors: Joanna
authors: J
authors: Listos
authors: Sylwia
authors: S
authors: Fidecka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D007191:Indazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D051379:Mice; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D007191:Indazoles; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D005445:Flunitrazepam; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D003975:Diazepam; C080122:7-nitroindazole; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester