Journal article
l-Arginine abolishes the anxiolytic-like effect of diazepam in the elevated plus-maze test in rats
European Journal of Pharmacology, Vol.351(3), pp.287-290
1998
Abstract
The involvement of nitrergic mechanisms in the behavioural effects of diazepam in rats was studied in the elevated plus-maze, open-field and rotarod tests. Administration of the nitric oxide (NO) precursor l-arginine (100 mg/kg, i.p.), assumed to increase the synthesis of NO, abolished the anxiolytic-like effect of diazepam (2 mg/kg, i.p.) in the elevated plus-maze, whereas the inactive enantiomer d-arginine (100 mg/kg) did not. Neither diazepam alone nor in combination with l- or d-arginine affected the exploratory activity of animals in the open field. Pretreatment with l-arginine (100 and 200 mg/kg) did not modify the motor impairment of rats after diazepam (3 mg/kg) in the rotarod test. Diazepam (2 mg/kg i.p.) did not inhibit the cortical or hippocampal cytosolic NO synthase activity measured ex vivo by [3H]l-arginine assay. Diazepam was similarly ineffective in in vitro studies at concentrations up to 10 μM. We conclude that a suppression of NO synthase activity may be important in the anxiolytic-like effect of benzodiazepines. However, diazepam does not inhibit NO synthase directly, but may affect NO synthase activity indirectly via some unknown mechanism.
Details
- Title
- l-Arginine abolishes the anxiolytic-like effect of diazepam in the elevated plus-maze test in rats
- Authors/Creators
- V. Volke (Author/Creator)A. Soosaar (Author/Creator)S. Kõks (Author/Creator)E. Vasar (Author/Creator)P.T. Männistö (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- European Journal of Pharmacology, Vol.351(3), pp.287-290
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Identifiers
- 991005541012807891
- Copyright
- © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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Source: InCites
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.127 Molecular & Cell Biology - Pharmacology
- 1.127.87 Nitric Oxide Roles
- Web Of Science research areas
- Pharmacology & Pharmacy
- ESI research areas
- Pharmacology & Toxicology