The neuronal selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, Nomega-propyl-L-arginine, blocks the effects of phencyclidine on prepulse inhibition and locomotor activity in mice

Eur J Pharmacol. 2004 Oct 25;503(1-3):103-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2004.09.042.

Abstract

Phencyclidine has frequently been used to model schizophrenia in animals. In the present study, the ability of the neuronal selective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, Nomega-propyl-L-arginine, to block the behavioural effects of phencyclidine in mice was investigated. N(omega)-propyl-L-arginine (20 mg/kg) was found to block both phencyclidine (4 mg/kg)-induced disruption of prepulse inhibition and phencyclidine-induced stimulation of locomotor activity in the mice tested. It is concluded that the NOS-sensitive behavioural effects of phencyclidine in rodents is dependent on neuronal NOS and that NO may play a role in the psychotomimetic effects of phencyclidine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Algorithms
  • Animals
  • Arginine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Arginine / pharmacology*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Hallucinogens / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Hallucinogens / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Motor Activity / drug effects*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
  • Phencyclidine / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Phencyclidine / pharmacology*
  • Reflex, Startle / drug effects*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Hallucinogens
  • N(omega)-propargylarginine
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Arginine
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
  • Nos1 protein, mouse
  • Phencyclidine