N-acetyl-L-cysteine inhibits marble-burying behavior in mice

J Pharmacol Sci. 2012;119(1):97-101. doi: 10.1254/jphs.11228sc. Epub 2012 Apr 18.

Abstract

In the present study, we examined the effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a glutamate-modulating agent, on marble-burying behavior in mice. Fluvoxamine (30 mg/kg, p.o.) and mirtazapine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly inhibited marble-burying behavior without affecting locomotor activity. Similarity, NAC (150 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly inhibited marble-burying behavior without affecting locomotor activity. On the other hand, the antioxidant α-tocopherol (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) had no effect on the marble-burying behavior. These results suggest that the glutamatergic system is involved in the marble-burying behavior, and NAC may be useful for treatment of OCD.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcysteine / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anxiety Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Fluvoxamine / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mianserin / analogs & derivatives
  • Mianserin / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Mirtazapine
  • Motor Activity / drug effects*
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • alpha-Tocopherol / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Mianserin
  • Mirtazapine
  • alpha-Tocopherol
  • Fluvoxamine
  • Acetylcysteine