Physiology and Pharmacology
Physiol Pharmacol
Medical Sciences
http://ppj.phypha.ir
32
journal32
24765236
24765244
10.61186/phypha
(previous ISSN: 17350581)
en
jalali
1389
10
1
gregorian
2011
1
1
14
4
online
1
fulltext
en
Role of L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, in the improvement of morphine-induced amnesia induced by nicotine
Nervous system (others)
Others
Experimental research article
Experimental research article
Introduction: Drugs of abuse such as nicotine and morphine used systemically by addicts produce their effects via
the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway. Furthermore, evidence indicates that some behavioral effects of nicotine and
morphine are mediated by nitric oxide (NO). Based on these observations, the aim of the present study was to
investigate the effects of intra-nucleus accumbens (NAc) injection of a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, L-NAME,
on the nicotine’s effect on the morphine-induced amnesia.
Methods: As a model of memory assessment, a step-through type passive avoidance task was used. All animals
were bilaterally implanted with a chronic cannulae in the NAc shell and trained by using a 1 mA foot shock. Animals
were tested 24 h after training to measure step-through latency.
Results: Post-training injection of morphine impaired memory performance on the test day. Pre-test administration
of the same doses of morphine reversed amnesia induced by post-training administration of morphine. Moreover,
administration of nicotine before the test prevented morphine amnesia. Impairment of memory because of post-training
injection of morphine was also prevented by pretest administration of L-NAME. Co-administration of an ineffective
dose of nicotine with ineffective doses of L-NAME synergistically improved memory that was impaired by morphine.
On the other hand, pre-test intra-NAc injection of L-NAME impaired passive avoidance memory by itself.
Conclusion: Considering the effects of pre-test intra-NAc injection of L-NAME alone or in combination with
ineffective dose of nicotine on morphine amnesia, it may be concluded that nitric oxide system of nucleus accumbens
has an important role in the improvement of morphine-induced amnesia and morphine state-dependent memory caused
by nicotine.
L-NAME, Nicotine, Nucleus accumbens, morphine amnesia, Rat
435
444
http://ppj.phypha.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-380-3&slc_lang=en&sid=1
Morteza
Piri
biopiri@yahoo.com
320031947532846008652
320031947532846008652
Yes
Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Branch, Ardabil, Iran
Maryam-Sadat
Shahin
shahin_maryam@yahoo.com
320031947532846008653
320031947532846008653
No
Young Researchers Cloob, Islamic Azad University- Shahr-e-rey branch,Tehran,Iran
Mohamade
Nasehi
mo58na@yahoo.com
320031947532846008654
320031947532846008654
No
Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar branch, Garmsar, Iran
Mohamd reza
Zarrindast
zarinmr@ams.ac.ir
320031947532846008655
320031947532846008655
No
Department of Pharmacology , School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran