M H, I P, M A. The effect of co-administration of morphine and L-Arginine in hippocampal CA3 area on spatial learning and memory in male rats. Tehran Univ Med J 2009; 67 (5) :309-316
URL:
http://tumj.tums.ac.ir/article-1-443-en.html
Abstract: (5927 Views)
Background: Learning and memory are the complicated agents of central nervous
system that various regions of brain can be involved in these phenomena, especially
regions like hippocamp. Various agents like nitric oxide and morphine can influence
learning and memory. About the effects of morphine with other components there was
not clear reports so in this study the effect of co-administration of L-Arginine
(precursor of nitric oxide) and morphine in hippocampal CA3 area on spatial learning
and memory in male rats was investigated.
Methods: Male rats were deeply anaesthetized with ketamine and xylazine and cannula
were implanted bilaterally in CA3 of hippocampus by using streotaxic technique, Then
male rats were used in seven groups that received saline, L-Arginine (0/3M), L-Arginine
(3μg/rat), L-NAME (0/3M), morphine (10mg/rat), L-Arginine (3μg/rat) with morphine or
L-NAME with morphine for five days that they were trained in morris water maze to
evaluate spatial learning and memory. There was a control group too.
Results: Our results showed that L-Arginine (3μg/rat) improved spatial learning and
memory. L-NAME (inhibitor of nitric oxide) decreased spatial learning and memory in
male rats. Injection of morphine also decreased spatial learning and memory in male
rats. Co-administeration of L-NAME and morphine decreased learning more than
morphine individually in male rats.
Conclusion: We concluded that precursor of nitric oxide improved learning and
memory in male rats and inhibitor of it and morphine impaired this phenomena and coadministration
of inhibitor of nitric oxide and morphine also impaired learning in rats.