7-Nitroindazole blocks conditioned place preference but not hyperactivity induced by morphine

Behav Brain Res. 2004 Apr 2;150(1-2):73-82. doi: 10.1016/S0166-4328(03)00225-0.

Abstract

The effects of 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), a neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitor, on spontaneous locomotor activity, morphine-induced hyperactivity, acquisition of place conditioning and morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) were evaluated in male mice. In experiment 1, animals treated with 7-NI (25, 50 and 100mg/kg), morphine (40 mg/kg) or morphine (40 mg/kg) plus 7-NI (25, 50 or 100mg/kg) were placed in an actimeter for 3h. In experiment 2, animals treated with the same drugs and doses were conditioned following an unbiased procedure. 7-NI did not affect the spontaneous locomotor activity or hyperactivity induced by morphine. However, the moderate and high doses of 7-NI produced conditioned place aversion (CPA) and the lowest dose blocked morphine-induced CPP. Our results suggest that nitric oxide is involved in the rewarding properties of morphine but not in its motor effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Analgesics, Opioid / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Conditioning, Operant / drug effects*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Hyperkinesis / chemically induced*
  • Hyperkinesis / psychology*
  • Indazoles / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Morphine / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Morphine / pharmacology*
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
  • Reward

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Indazoles
  • Morphine
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
  • Nos1 protein, mouse
  • 7-nitroindazole