Abstract
The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors on responses, elicited by benzodiazepines (BZs) in a modified elevated plus-maze task in mice. It was shown that acute doses of diazepam (DZ; 1 and 2mg/kg) and flunitrazepam (FNZ; 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2mg/kg) significantly increased the time of transfer latency (TL2) in a retention trial, thus confirming memory impairing effects of BZs. l-NAME (NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester; 200mg/kg), a non-selective inhibitor of NOS, and 7-NI (7-nitroindazole; 40mg/kg), a selective inhibitor of NOS, further intensified DZ-induced memory impairment. On the other hand, L-NAME (50, 100 and 200mg/kg) and 7-NI (10, 20 and 40mg/kg) prevented FNZ-induced memory compromising process.The results of this study indicated that suppressed NO synthesis enhanced DZ-induced but prevented FNZ-induced memory impairment. Taken together, these findings could suggest NO involvement in BZs-induced impairment of memory processes. The precise mechanism of these controversial effects, however, remains elusive.
Published Version
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