Modulation of Central Dopamine Receptor Reactivity in the Rat, by Nitric Oxide Donors and Inhibitor: Behavioral Studies
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-1999
Description
Nitric acid has been implicated in a variety of physiological functions of the mammalian brain, and in a large number of its pathologies. Recently we have demonstrated that a nitric oxide donor (L-arginine) and a nitric-oxide-synthase-inhibitor (nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester) modified the response of central al dopamine D 1 and D 3 receptors to some of their agonists. In the present study we demonstrate the modulatory effect of L-arginine, nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester and molsidomine (another nitric oxide donor) on the reactivity of the central dopamine receptors to specific agonists and antagonists. The agonists tested were SKF-38393, 7-OH-DPAT and quinpirole, and the antagonists - SCH-23390 and haloperidol. They were evaluated in the rat by the following behavioral methods: locomotor activity, locomotor coordination, rearings and cataleptogenic activity (D 2 modulation); grooming time (D 1 activation); yawning (D 3 activation) and ethanol- and phenobarbital-sleeping-time parameters after SKF-38393 or quinpirole pretreatment. Our results suggest that nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester is effective in modulating the reactivity of the central dopamine receptors D 2, D 1 and D 3, to their agonists and antagonists, and that it is much more effective than L-arginine in regulating the righting reflex after ethanol and phenobarbital, in both female and male mature rats.
Citation Information
Kasperska, Alicja; Brus, Ryszard; Szkilnik, Ryszard; Oswiecimska, Joanna; Kostrzewa, Richard M.; and Shani, Jashovam. 1999. Modulation of Central Dopamine Receptor Reactivity in the Rat, by Nitric Oxide Donors and Inhibitor: Behavioral Studies. Pharmacology Reviews and Communications. Vol.10(4). 311-319. ISSN: 1028-8945
