Involvement of the GABAergic and the serotonergic systems in the anxiolytic effects expressed by the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in the male rat.

IF 3.5 3区医学 Q2 NEUROSCIENCES Psychopharmacology Pub Date : 2025-02-18 DOI:10.1007/s00213-025-06759-1

Maria Anastasia Parlantza, Nikolaos Pitsikas

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Rationale: Anxiety is a chronic severe psychiatric disorder. In a series of studies, the implication of the gaseous molecule nitric oxide (NO) in anxiety has been evidenced. Further, the outcome of preclinical research suggests that different NO donors, including sodium nitroprusside (SNP), have expressed an anxiolytic profile revealed in animal models of anxiety. Regardless of this, it is not yet clarified the mechanism(s) of action by which SNP induces its beneficial effects on anxiety. In this context, it has been hypothesized that these effects might be attributed to a potential interaction of this NO donor with the GABA type A and the 5-HT_1A serotonergic receptors.

Objectives: The current study was designed to investigate this issue in the male rat.

Methods: To this end, the light/dark box and the open field tests were utilized.

Results: SNP (1 mg/kg, i.p.) applied acutely induced an anti-anxiety-like effect evidenced either in the light/dark box or in the open field test. Either the GABA_A receptor antagonist flumazenil (10 mg/kg, i.p.) or the 5-HT_1A serotonin receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT (0.25 mg/kg, i.p.) suppressed the above reported anxiolytic effects of SNP.

Conclusions: The results here reported propose a functional interaction between SNP with the GABAergic and the serotonergic systems on anxiety and thus, might offer a plausible explanation for SNP's anxiolytic effects.

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来源期刊

Psychopharmacology 医学-精神病学

CiteScore

7.10

自引率

5.90%

发文量

257

审稿时长

2-4 weeks

期刊介绍： Official Journal of the European Behavioural Pharmacology Society (EBPS) Psychopharmacology is an international journal that covers the broad topic of elucidating mechanisms by which drugs affect behavior. The scope of the journal encompasses the following fields: Human Psychopharmacology: Experimental This section includes manuscripts describing the effects of drugs on mood, behavior, cognition and physiology in humans. The journal encourages submissions that involve brain imaging, genetics, neuroendocrinology, and developmental topics. Usually manuscripts in this section describe studies conducted under controlled conditions, but occasionally descriptive or observational studies are also considered. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Translational This section comprises studies addressing the broad intersection of drugs and psychiatric illness. This includes not only clinical trials and studies of drug usage and metabolism, drug surveillance, and pharmacoepidemiology, but also work utilizing the entire range of clinically relevant methodologies, including neuroimaging, pharmacogenetics, cognitive science, biomarkers, and others. Work directed toward the translation of preclinical to clinical knowledge is especially encouraged. The key feature of submissions to this section is that they involve a focus on clinical aspects. Preclinical psychopharmacology: Behavioral and Neural This section considers reports on the effects of compounds with defined chemical structures on any aspect of behavior, in particular when correlated with neurochemical effects, in species other than humans. Manuscripts containing neuroscientific techniques in combination with behavior are welcome. We encourage reports of studies that provide insight into the mechanisms of drug action, at the behavioral and molecular levels. Preclinical Psychopharmacology: Translational This section considers manuscripts that enhance the confidence in a central mechanism that could be of therapeutic value for psychiatric or neurological patients, using disease-relevant preclinical models and tests, or that report on preclinical manipulations and challenges that have the potential to be translated to the clinic. Studies aiming at the refinement of preclinical models based upon clinical findings (back-translation) will also be considered. The journal particularly encourages submissions that integrate measures of target tissue exposure, activity on the molecular target and/or modulation of the targeted biochemical pathways. Preclinical Psychopharmacology: Molecular, Genetic and Epigenetic This section focuses on the molecular and cellular actions of neuropharmacological agents / drugs, and the identification / validation of drug targets affecting the CNS in health and disease. We particularly encourage studies that provide insight into the mechanisms of drug action at the molecular level. Manuscripts containing evidence for genetic or epigenetic effects on neurochemistry or behavior are welcome.