Archives of Biological Sciences 2013 Volume 65, Issue 2, Pages: 519-524
https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS1302519S
Full text ( 946 KB)
Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors protect cholinergic neurons against quinolinic acid toxicity in the rat brain
Stevanović Ivana (Military Medical Academy, Institute for Medical Research, Belgrade)
Jovanović Marina (Military Medical Academy, Institute for Medical Research, Belgrade)
Ninković Milica (Military Medical Academy, Institute for Medical Research, Belgrade)
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of intrastriatally injected
nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester
(L-NAME) and 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), on quinolinic acid (QA)-induced toxicity
in selective vulnerable brain regions of adult Wistar rats. QA was
administered into the striatum unilaterally, in a single dose of 150 nM/L
with a stereotaxic instrument. The other two experimental groups were
pretreated with L-NAME and 7-NI, respectively. The control group of animals
was treated with 0.154 mM/L saline solution. The animals were decapitated
seven days after the treatment. Samples of both striatum and forebrain cortex
were prepared for measurement of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. QA
injection revealed a significant increase in AChE activity in both the ipsi-
and contralateral striatum and forebrain cortex compared to the control
animals. Treatment with NOS inhibitors, followed by QA, very clearly
demonstrated lower levels of AChE bilaterally in these brain structures,
compared to the QA-treated group.
Keywords: Acetylcholinesterase, Huntington’s disease, quinolinic acid, Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, 7-nitroindazole