Biomaterial Database

Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis with L-NAME suppresses isolation-induced ultrasounds in rat pups. 1999

J O Campbell, and J A Fogarty, and L P Spear

Department of Psychology and Center for Developmental Psychobiology, Binghamton University, NY 13902-6000, USA.

The present experiments examined the impact of manipulating the NO system on production of isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in 10- and 11-day-old rat pups. Pups were tested under both high- and low-baseline USV emission; the latter was accomplished by pretest administration of cocaine, a drug known to suppress USVs. Treatment with 10, 50, or 100 mg/kg (but not 1 mg/kg) of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) significantly attenuated USV production, as did injection of 10 mg/kg cocaine; combined treatment with both drugs did not result in greater suppression, perhaps due to a floor effect. Although cocaine increased locomotor activity, treatment with L- or D-NAME alone did not alter activity levels. Exposure to L-NAME induced some hypothermia, although these alterations in body temperature were not systematically related to the drug-induced suppression of USVs. Alterations in USV production by L-NAME were not evident after pretreatment with the less active isomer D-NAME, evidence supporting the importance of NO synthesis inhibition per se in the marked L-NAME-induced suppression of USVs in isolated infant rats.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009569	Nitric Oxide	A free radical gas produced endogenously by a variety of mammalian cells, synthesized from ARGININE by NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHASE. Nitric oxide is one of the ENDOTHELIUM-DEPENDENT RELAXING FACTORS released by the vascular endothelium and mediates VASODILATION. It also inhibits platelet aggregation, induces disaggregation of aggregated platelets, and inhibits platelet adhesion to the vascular endothelium. Nitric oxide activates cytosolic GUANYLATE CYCLASE and thus elevates intracellular levels of CYCLIC GMP.	Endogenous Nitrate Vasodilator,Mononitrogen Monoxide,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium-Derived,Nitrogen Monoxide,Endothelium-Derived Nitric Oxide,Monoxide, Mononitrogen,Monoxide, Nitrogen,Nitrate Vasodilator, Endogenous,Nitric Oxide, Endothelium Derived,Oxide, Nitric,Vasodilator, Endogenous Nitrate
D001833	Body Temperature Regulation	The processes of heating and cooling that an organism uses to control its temperature.	Heat Loss,Thermoregulation,Regulation, Body Temperature,Temperature Regulation, Body,Body Temperature Regulations,Heat Losses,Loss, Heat,Losses, Heat,Regulations, Body Temperature,Temperature Regulations, Body,Thermoregulations
D003042	Cocaine	An alkaloid ester extracted from the leaves of plants including coca. It is a local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor and is clinically used for that purpose, particularly in the eye, ear, nose, and throat. It also has powerful central nervous system effects similar to the amphetamines and is a drug of abuse. Cocaine, like amphetamines, acts by multiple mechanisms on brain catecholaminergic neurons; the mechanism of its reinforcing effects is thought to involve inhibition of dopamine uptake.	Cocaine HCl,Cocaine Hydrochloride,HCl, Cocaine,Hydrochloride, Cocaine
D003864	Depression, Chemical	The decrease in a measurable parameter of a PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESS, including cellular, microbial, and plant; immunological, cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, urinary, digestive, neural, musculoskeletal, ocular, and skin physiological processes; or METABOLIC PROCESS, including enzymatic and other pharmacological processes, by a drug or other chemical.	Chemical Depression,Chemical Depressions,Depressions, Chemical
D004791	Enzyme Inhibitors	Compounds or agents that combine with an enzyme in such a manner as to prevent the normal substrate-enzyme combination and the catalytic reaction.	Enzyme Inhibitor,Inhibitor, Enzyme,Inhibitors, Enzyme
D005260	Female		Females
D000704	Analysis of Variance	A statistical technique that isolates and assesses the contributions of categorical independent variables to variation in the mean of a continuous dependent variable.	ANOVA,Analysis, Variance,Variance Analysis,Analyses, Variance,Variance Analyses
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012934	Social Isolation	The separation of individuals or groups resulting in the lack of or minimizing of social contact and/or communication. This separation may be accomplished by physical separation, by social barriers and by psychological mechanisms. In the latter, there may be interaction but no real communication.	Isolation, Social,Social Exclusion,Exclusion, Social,Social Exclusions