Influence of Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibitor in the Nucleus Accumbens on Improving Effect of Nicotine in Ethanol-Induced Amnesia

Nitric oxide mediated some behavioral effects of nicotine and ethanol in the nucleus accumbens. In the present study, the effects of L-NAME (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) in the nucleus accumbens on nicotine’s effect in ethanol-induced amnesia were investigated. In this experimental study 96 adult male wistar rats were used (12 groups). It was used inhibitory avoidable memory step-through model in order to assess memory. The step-through latency for the assessment of memory measured in male Wistar rats. Cannula were bilaterally implanted in the NAC shell of all animals. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by multiple comparisons of Tukey test, were used for data analysis. p<0.05 was statistically considered significant difference among groups. Ethanol induced amnesia (p<0.001) and state-dependent learning (p<0.001). Nicotine injection (p<0.001) or L-NAME (p<0.010) before the test prevented amnesia. Co-administration of an ineffective dose of nicotine with L-NAME potentiated improving effect of L-NAME on memory impaired by ethanol (p<0.001). On the other hand, pre-test intra-NAc injection of L-NAME impairs inhibitory avoidable memory by itself (p<0.001). The results indicated that L-NAME in the nucleus accumbens potentiated improving effect of nicotine on the ethanol-induced amnesia.