Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

Background and Objective: Nitric oxide mediated some behavioral effects of nicotine and ethanol in the nucleus accumbens. In the present study, the effects of L-NAME (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) in the nucleus accumbens on nicotine’s effect in ethanol-induced amnesia were investigated.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 96 adult male wistar rats were used (12 groups). It was used inhibitory avoidable memory step-through model in order to assess memory. The step-through latency for the assessment of memory measured in male Wistar rats. Cannula were bilaterally implanted in the NAC shell of all animals. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by multiple comparisons of Tukey test, were used for data analysis. p<0.05 was statistically considered significant difference among groups.

Results: Ethanol induced amnesia (p<0.001) and state-dependent learning (p<0.001). Nicotine injection (p<0.001) or L-NAME (p<0.010) before the test prevented amnesia. Co-administration of an ineffective dose of nicotine with L-NAME potentiated improving effect of L-NAME on memory impaired by ethanol (p<0.001). On the other hand, pre-test intra-NAc injection of L-NAME impairs inhibitory avoidable memory by itself (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The results indicated that L-NAME in the nucleus accumbens potentiated improving effect of nicotine on the ethanol-induced amnesia.

Key words: Nitric oxide synthase, Nicotine, Ethanol amnesia, Nucleus accumbens, Rat

Funding: This research was funded by Lahijan Branch of Islamic Azad University.

Conflict interest: None declared.

Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Tehran University of Medical Sciences approved the study.

How to cite this article: Piri M, Moshfegh A, Raoufi N, Shahin MS. Influence of Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor in the Nucleus Accumbens on Improving Effect of Nicotine in Ethanol-Induced Amnesia. J RafsanjanUniv Med Sci 2014 13(5): 435-44. [Farsi]