Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors protect cerebellar Purkinje cells from zinc-induced cell loss in adult rat

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase has a role in the detrimental effects of lipopolysaccharide on spatial memory and synaptic plasticity in rats

BACKGROUND

The role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced memory and synaptic plasticity impairment was investigated.

METHODS

The rats were divided and treated as follows: (1) control (saline), (2) LPS, (3) 7NI (7-nitroindazole as a nNOS inhibitor)-LPS and (4) 7NI.

RESULTS

In a Morris water maze, the LPS group took a longer amount of time and traveled a greater distance to reach the platform, this was prevented by 7NI. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites in the hippocampus of the LPS group were higher while the total thiol, superoxide dismutase and catalase were lower than that of the controlled specimen. Pre-treatment using 7NI prevented the changes in the biochemical criteria. The slope and amplitude of the field excitatory post-synaptic potential (fEPSP) in the LPS group decreased, whereas in 7NI-LPS group they increased.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that inhibition of nNOS by 7NI improves the deleterious effects of LPS by reducing NO metabolites and the brain tissues oxidative damage.

Lipopolysaccharide-induced memory impairment in rats is preventable using 7-nitroindazole

Inflammation and oxidative stress have important roles in memory impairment. The effect of 7-nitroindazole (7NI) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced memory impairment was investigated. Rats were used, divided into four groups that were treated as follows: (1) control (saline); (2) LPS; (3) 7NI-LPS; and (4) 7NI before passive avoidance (PA). In the LPS group, the latency for entering the dark compartment was shorter than in the controls (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001); while in the 7NI-LPS group, it was longer than in the LPS group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) metabolite concentrations in the brain tissues of the LPS group were higher than in the controls (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05); while in the 7NI-LPS group, they were lower than in the LPS group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). The thiol content in the brain of the LPS group was lower than in the controls (p < 0.001); while in the 7NI-LPS group, it was higher than in the LPS group (p < 0.001). It is suggested that brain tissue oxidative damage and NO elevation have a role in the deleterious effects of LPS on memory retention that are preventable using 7NI.