Jolanta Orzelska-Gorka1, Sylwia Talarek2, Joanna Listos2, Ewa Kedzierska2, Sylwia Fidecka2. 1. Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland. Electronic address: jolanta.orzelska@umlub.pl. 2. Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to better understand possible interaction(s) between a non-selective nitric oxide inhibitor: N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) and benzodiazepines (BZs) in recognition memory. METHODS: The study was carried out on adult male albino Wistar rats. A novel object recognition (NOR) task was used to evaluate memory process. RESULTS: Combined administration of l-NAME (50mg/kg, ip) with a threshold dose of DZ (0.25mg/kg) induced amnesic effects in rats, participating in the NOR test. On the other hand, following a combined administration of l-NAME (100mg/kg, ip) with flunitrazepam (FNZ; 0.1mg/kg), it was found out that l-NAME inhibited the amnesic effects of FNZ on rats in the NOR test. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results suggest that suppressed NO synthesis may lead to a facilitation of DZ-induced memory impairment but surprisingly may prevent amnesic effect after FNZ in rats, submitted to NOR task.
BACKGROUND: The present study was undertaken to better understand possible interaction(s) between a non-selective nitric oxide inhibitor: N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) and benzodiazepines (BZs) in recognition memory. METHODS: The study was carried out on adult male albino Wistar rats. A novel object recognition (NOR) task was used to evaluate memory process. RESULTS: Combined administration of l-NAME (50mg/kg, ip) with a threshold dose of DZ (0.25mg/kg) induced amnesic effects in rats, participating in the NOR test. On the other hand, following a combined administration of l-NAME (100mg/kg, ip) with flunitrazepam (FNZ; 0.1mg/kg), it was found out that l-NAME inhibited the amnesic effects of FNZ on rats in the NOR test. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results suggest that suppressed NO synthesis may lead to a facilitation of DZ-induced memory impairment but surprisingly may prevent amnesic effect after FNZ in rats, submitted to NOR task.