title: Effects of 7-NI and ODQ on memory in the passive avoidance, novel object recognition, and social transmission of food preference tests in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nitric oxide (NO) is an intercellular messenger that plays a critical role in learning and memory processes. Effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors and guanylate cyclase (GC) inhibitors on cognitive function remain controversial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this study was to investigate effects of an NOS inhibitor, 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), and a GC inhibitor, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), on different aspects of memory in passive avoidance (PA), novel object recognition (NOR), and social transmission of food preference (STFP) tests. Male Balb-c mice were treated intraperitoneally with 7-NI (15 mg/kg), ODQ (3,10 mg/kg), L-arginine (100 mg/kg) + 7-NI (15 mg/kg), or physiological saline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ODQ (10 mg/kg) and 7-NI (15 mg/kg) significantly decreased second-day latency in PA test. 7-NI (15 mg/kg) and ODQ (10 mg/kg) significantly decreased the ratio index in the NOR test. 7-NI and ODQ (10 mg/kg) decreased cued/non-cued food eaten in STFP test. Amount of time spent in center zone significantly increased in ODQ (10 mg/kg) and 7-NI (15 mg/kg) groups in open field test, but there was no effect on total distance moved and speed of animals. ODQ (10 mg/kg) significantly increased number of entries into new compartments in exploratory activity apparatus, while 7-NI had no effect. Administration of L-arginine (100 mg/kg) before 7-NI reversed 7-NI-induced effects, supporting the role of NO in cognition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results confirm that inhibition of NO/cGMP/GS pathway might disturb emotional, visual, and olfactory memory in mice. Also, 7-NI and ODQ had anxiolytic effects in open field test, and ODQ also enhanced exploratory activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Kocaeli University, Medical Faculty, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Furuzan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Kocaeli University, Medical Faculty, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Oguz
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mutlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Kocaeli University, Medical Faculty, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ipek
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Komsuoglu Celikyurt
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Kocaeli University, Medical Faculty, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Emine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bektas
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Sakarya University, Medical Faculty, Sakarya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Pelin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tanyeri
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Kocaeli University, Medical Faculty, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Guner
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ulak
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Kocaeli University, Medical Faculty, Kocaeli, Turkey.
authors.forename: Faruk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Erden
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000503:physiopathology; D001120:Arginine / Q000494:pharmacology; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D005106:Exploratory Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000187:drug effects*; D007191:Indazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010069:Oxadiazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012903:Smell / Q000187:drug effects; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: C095284:1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one; D007191:Indazoles; D010069:Oxadiazoles; D011810:Quinoxalines; D001120:Arginine; C080122:7-nitroindazole