l-NAME differential effects on diazepam and flunitrazepam responses of rats in the object recognition test

BackgroundThe present study was undertaken to better understand possible interaction(s) between a non-selective nitric oxide inhibitor: NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) and benzodiazepines (BZs) in recognition memory.MethodsThe study was carried out on adult male albino Wistar rats. A novel object recognition (NOR) task was used to evaluate memory process.ResultsCombined administration of l-NAME (50 mg/kg, ip) with a threshold dose of DZ (0.25 mg/kg) induced amnesic effects in rats, participating in the NOR test. On the other hand, following a combined administration of l-NAME (100 mg/kg, ip) with flunitrazepam (FNZ; 0.1 mg/kg), it was found out that l-NAME inhibited the amnesic effects of FNZ on rats in the NOR test.ConclusionsThe obtained results suggest that suppressed NO synthesis may lead to a facilitation of DZ-induced memory impairment but surprisingly may prevent amnesic effect after FNZ in rats, submitted to NOR task.