NO-sGC-cGMP signaling influence the anxiolytic like effect of lithium in mice in light and dark box and elevated plus maze

Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter implicated in the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. Glutamate results in the activation of an enzyme called glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) acting through N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Impaired expression of GSK-3 affects behavior and neurochemicals level in the brain responsible for the pathogenesis of mood disorders. It has been reported that lithium acts as an inhibitor of GSK-3 and inhibit the enzyme GSK-3 in an uncompetitive manner. In the present study, anxiolytic like effect of lithium in mice is investigated through light and dark box (LDB) and elevated plus maze (EPM). Lithium (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to the mice to determine the anxiety related behavior. Results obtained suggests that the administration of lithium (100 mg/kg, i.p.) reversed the anxiety related behavior of mice and decreased the levels of glutamate and nitrite as compared to control. Glutamate acting through the NMDA receptor has been found to regulate the expression of enzyme neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), which is responsible for the release of nitric oxide (NO), suggesting a possible link between NO and GSK-3 also. Therefore, to determine the possible interaction with NO, sub-effective dose of lithium was administered in combination with NO donor i.e. l-Arginine (50 mg/kg, i.p.), NOS and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor i.e. methylene blue (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and phosphodiesterase inhibitor i.e. sildenafil (1 mg/kg, i.p.). The results obtained demonstrated that the anxiolytic like effect of lithium was abolished by the pretreatment with NO donor and potentiated by the pretreatment with NOS inhibitor. Therefore, it is suggested that NO signaling pathway influence the anxiolytic like activity of lithium in mice, further suggesting the link between the GSK-3 and NO signaling in the regulation of anxiety related behavior.