| RESEARCH PAPER |
|
| Year : 2000 | Volume
: 32
| Issue : 6 | Page : 353-356 |
Role of nitric oxide in cocaine and amphetamine induced dopaminergic increased locomotor activity and reverse tolerance
Gupta Nidhi, P Pandhi
Correspondence Address:
Gupta Nidhi
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
Objective: To study the role of nitric oxide in cocaine and amphetamine induced increased locomotor activity and reverse tolerance.
Methods: Locomotor activity was measured using a hole board. Increased locomotor activity was induced by administration of cocaine (15mg/kg, s.c.,) and amphetamine (0.7mg/kg, s.c.) once daily for 6 days. ?(-nitro-L-arginine (NOARG), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (8mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 30 min before the administration of cocaine or amphetamine as single injection or once daily for 6 days.
Results: NOARG (8 mg/kg) inhibited the cocaine and amphetamine induced increased locomotor activity. NOARG administered before and during chronic injection of cocaine and amphetamine in rats blocked the development of reverse tolerance to the increased locomotor activity.
Conclusion: Dopaminergic mediated behaviours of cocaine and amphetamine are partially mediated via the activation of the nitric oxide system and the enhancement of postsynaptic dopamine receptor sensitivity may be an underlying common mechanism that mediates this reverse tolerance.
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