Cardiac and vascular effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibition in lipopolysaccharide-treated rats

In the present study, intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (10 mg/kg) to anaesthetized rats produced a gradual fall in mean arterial pressure in 6 h. Aortic rings from lipopolysaccharide-treated rats showed a significant reduction in the contractile response to vasoconstrictors. Pretreatment with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or aminoguanidine, two nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, abolished this vascular hyporeactivity. In ventricular myocytes isolated from lipopolysaccharide-treated rats, both electrically induced Ca(2+) transients and the intracellular Ca(2+) response to beta-adrenergic stimulation were significantly depressed when compared with those recorded from myocytes from sham control rats. L-NAME and aminoguanidine alone had no effects on electrically stimulated Ca(2+) transients in ventricular myocytes either from control or lipopolysaccharide-treated rats. However, these two NOS inhibitors augmented the intracellular Ca(2+) response to beta-adrenergic stimulation in myocytes from lipopolysaccharide-treated rats, but not in control myocytes. In addition, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4, 3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive guanylyl cyclase, also reversed the intracellular Ca(2+) hyporesponsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation in myocytes from lipopolysaccharide-treated rats. In cardiac myocytes from lipopolysaccharide-rats pretreated with aminoguanidine, the intracellular Ca(2+) hyporesponsiveness to beta-adrenergic stimulation was abolished. However, there still existed a depressed Ca(2+) response to electrical field stimulation. These data indicate that NO following lipopolysaccharide stimulation contributes to vascular hyporeactivity and the depressed intracellular Ca(2+) response to beta-adrenergic stimulation in lipopolysaccharide-treated rats, but is not responsible for the reduced Ca(2+) response to electrical stimulation in our experimental conditions.     

Intrarenal detection of nitric oxide using electron spin resonance spectroscopy in hypertensive lipopolysaccharide-treated rats

The inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by chronic administration of NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) in rats is responsible for systemic hypertension. However, the mechanisms involved in this hypertension remain unclear. The effects of chronic l-NAME on kidney and blood NO production were studied in rats in a state of endotoxic shock due to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A nitric oxide spin trapping technique using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy has been used to identify and measure the production of NO in the kidney. This method is based on the trapping of nitric oxide by a metal-chelator complex consisting of N-methyl-d-glucamine dithiocarbamate (MGD) and reduced iron (Fe2+) forming a water-soluble NO-FeMGD complex detected by ESR. After LPS injection (14 mg/kg, IV, 6 h before the sacrifice) to rats pretreated with l-NAME (10 mg/kg/d over 14 days), the NO-FeMGD complex was evaluated in the kidney (arbitrary units [AU]/g of kidney) and the density of polynuclear neutrophils was counted by light microscopy. Chronic inhibition of NO synthase by l-NAME, a nonspecific inhibitor, was responsible for a decrease of the NO-FeMGD complex levels in the kidney (24.9 +/- 1.6 AU versus 13.8 +/- 1.3 AU). LPS administration was responsible for a large increase in both NO-FeMGD complex and neutrophil levels in the kidney of normotensive rats (332.6 +/- 12.8 AU versus 24.9 +/- 1.6 AU for NO-FeMGD complex and 1.36 +/- 0.41 versus 0.11 +/- 0.03 for neutrophils). Conversely, LPS administration in hypertensive, l-NAME-pretreated rats was linked to a smaller increase in the NO-FeMGD complex (85.1 +/- 7.9 AU versus 332.6 +/- 12.8 AU) and a larger increase in glomerular neutrophils (2.48 +/- 0.36 versus 1.36 +/- 0.41) compared with normotensive rats. These results are in agreement with a direct implication of NO during LPS-and l-NAME-induced kidney injuries.     

Endothelium- and nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxing activities of gamma-butyrobetaine esters: possible link to the antiischemic activities of mildronate

Mildronate [3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazine) propionate (THP)] is an antiischemic drug acting mainly via inhibition of fatty acid beta-oxidation. Some effects of the drug cannot be explained by the latter mechanism. We tested the eventual nitric oxide (NO) dependence of the mildronate action. Mildronate, gamma-butyrobetaine (GBB) and GBB methyl ester induced transient increases in nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in rat blood and myocardium. In vitro, these compounds neither modified the activities of purified neuronal and endothelial recombinant nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) nor were able to interact with their active site. GBB induced vasodilatation at high concentrations only (EC50 = 5 x 10(-5) M) while mildronate alone displayed no vasodilating effect although it enhanced the GBB vasodilating activity. GBB methyl and ethyl esters were found more potent vasodilators (EC50 = 2.5 x 10(-6) M). Pretreatment of aortic rings with NOS inhibitor Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) abolished vasodilating effects of the compounds. A hypothesis explaining NO and endothelium-dependent effects of mildronate and its analogues is proposed.     

Dexamethasone inhibits inducible nitric-oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide production by destabilizing mRNA in lipopolysaccharide-treated macrophages

Nitric oxide (NO) production through the inducible nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) pathway is increased in inflammatory diseases and leads to cellular injury. Anti-inflammatory steroids inhibit the expression of various inflammatory genes, including iNOS. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism how dexamethasone decreased NO production in murine J774 macrophages. Dexamethasone (0.1-10 microM) inhibited the production of NO and iNOS protein in a dose-dependent manner in cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS). In contrast, in cells treated with a combination of LPS and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), dexamethasone did not reduce iNOS expression and NO formation. Dissociated glucocorticoid RU24858 inhibited iNOS expression and NO production to levels comparable with that of dexamethasone, suggesting that the reduced iNOS expression by dexamethasone is not a GRE-mediated event. In further studies, the effect of dexamethasone on iNOS mRNA levels was tested by actinomycin assay. The half-life of iNOS mRNA after LPS treatment was 5 h 40 min, and dexamethasone reduced it to 3 h. The increased degradation of iNOS mRNA was reversed by a protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. iNOS mRNA was more stabile in cells treated with a combination of LPS plus IFN-gamma (half-life = 8 h 20 min), and dexamethasone had a minor effect in these conditions. In conclusion, dexamethasone decreases iNOS-dependent NO production by destabilizing iNOS mRNA in LPS-treated cells by a mechanism that requires de novo protein synthesis. Also, decreased iNOS mRNA and protein expression and NO formation by dexamethasone was not found in cells treated with a combination of LPS plus IFN-gamma, suggesting that the effect of dexamethasone is stimulus-dependent.     

依普拉芬对去卵巢大鼠血清一氧化氮及一氧化氮合酶的影响

目的 探讨人工合成的植物雌激素依普拉芬对去卵巢大鼠血清一氧化氮及一氧化氮合酶合酶的影响.方法 6个月龄雌性SD大鼠60只分为假手术组(10只SD大鼠)和去卵巢组(50只);再将去卵巢大鼠分为阴性对照组,依普拉芬高、中、低剂量组和雌激素对照组(各10只),分别给予基础饲料和不同剂量的依普拉芬,12周后测定血清NO及NOS.结果 与假手术组相比,去卵巢大鼠阴性对照组血清NO及NOS明显降低,依普拉芬组高于阴性对照组,与假手术组比较差异无统计学意义.同时低于雌激素组.结论 NO及NOS参与了骨质疏松的病理生理过程;依普拉芬可以通过提高去卵巢大鼠血清NO及NOS浓度达到防治绝经后骨质疏松症的作用.     

依普拉芬对去卵巢大鼠血清一氧化氮及一氧化氮合酶的影响

目的探讨人工合成的植物雌激素依普拉芬对去卵巢大鼠血清一氧化氮及一氧化氮合酶合酶的影响。方法6个月龄雌性SD大鼠60只分为假手术组（10只SD大鼠）和去卵巢组（50只）;再将去卵巢大鼠分为阴性对照组,依普拉芬高、中、低剂量组和雌激素对照组（各10只）,分别给予基础饲料和不同剂量的依普拉芬,12周后测定血清NO及NOS。结果与假手术组相比,去卵巢大鼠阴性对照组血清NO及NOS明显降低,依普拉芬组高于阴性对照组,与假手术组比较差异无统计学意义。同时低于雌激素组。结论NO及NOS参与了骨质疏松的病理生理过程;依普拉芬可以通过提高去卵巢大鼠血清NO及NOS浓度达到防治绝经后骨质疏松症的作用。     

Inhibitory effect of obovatol on nitric oxide production and activation of NF-kappaB/MAP kinases in lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7cells

The components of Magnolia obovata are known to have many pharmacological activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of obovatol, a neolignan compound isolated from the leaves of M. obovata, on nitric oxide (NO) production and NF-kappaB activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 cells. The results show that obovatol (1-5 microM) significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO production in a concentration-dependent manner (IC(50): 0.91 microM). Consistent with the inhibitory effect on NO production, obovatol inhibits the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. Furthermore, obovatol suppressed NF-kappaB (p50 and p65) translocation to the nucleus as well as IkappaB release resulting in the inhibition of the DNA binding activity of the NF-kappaB. Obovatol also inhibited c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signal, which are the most significantly involved signal in NO production and NF-kappaB activation. When the cells were treated with the combination of obovatol with U0126 (an ERK inhibitor) or SP600125 (a JNK inhibitor) as well as with SC-514 (an IKK2 inhibitor), much more inhibition of NO production was observed than that by obovatol alone. The present results suggest that obovatol has an inhibitory effect on NO production through the inhibition of NF-kappaB/MAPK activity, and thus can be used as an anti-inflammatory agent.     

Cardiovascular responses and nitric oxide production in cerebral ischemic rats

We investigated that the role of nitric oxide (NO) on ischemic rats in brain and heart. Ischemia was induced by both common carotid arteries (CCA) occlusion for 24h following reperfusion. Then tissue samples were removed and measured NOx. In brain, NOx was increased by about 40% vs. normal and it was significantly inhibited by aminoguanidine, selective iNOS inhibitor. This result showed that NOx concentration was increased by iNOS. We investigated the role of Ca2+ during ischemia. Nimodipine, L-type calcium channel blocker, didn't inhibit the increases of NOx concentration during ischemia. It suggested that increased NOx was due to calcium-independent NOS. MK-801, which N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, didn't significantly prevent the increases of NOx. In heart, ischemia caused NOx decrease and it is inconsistent with NOx increase in brain. Aminoguanidine and nimodipine didnt affect on NOx decrease. But MK-801 more lowered NOx concentration than those of ischemia control group. It seemed that Ca2+ influx in heart partially occurred via NMDA receptor and inhibited by NMDA receptor antagonist. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) in ischemic rats after 24h of CCA occlusion was decreased when compared to normal value, whereas the heart rates (HR) was not different between two groups. Aminoguanidine or MK801 had no effect on MAP or HR, but nimodipine reduced MAP. There was no difference the effects of aminoguanidine, nimodipine, or MK-801, on MAP and HR between normal rats and ischemic rats. In summary, ischemic model caused an increase of NOx concentration, suggesting that this may be produced via iNOS, which is calcium independent in brain. However in heart, ischemia decreased NOx concentration and NMDA receptor was partially involved. The basal MAP was decreased in ischemic rats but HR was not different from normal control, suggesting that increased NOx in brain of ischemic rat may result in the hypotension.     

香菇多糖对巨噬细胞一氧化氮和一氧化氮合酶活性的影响

目的研究香菇多糖(LTN)诱导巨噬细胞的一氧化氮(NO)生成和一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)的活性,探讨LTN的免疫调节作用机理.方法采用Griess反应和荧光法测定不同剂量的LTN作用小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞后NO的生成量和iNOS活性.观察mRNA转录抑制剂、蛋白质合成抑制剂和iNOS抑制剂对巨噬细胞NO的生成和iNOS活性的影响.结果LTN能使小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞NO生成增加,iNOS活性增高,并呈作用剂量依赖关系.3种抑制剂均能抑制LTN诱导的小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞N0的生成和iNOS活性.结论LTN能刺激小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞提高iNOS活性和NO的生成.提示LTN的免疫调节作用机制可能与LTN刺激巨噬细胞NO生成有关.     

香菇多糖对巨噬细胞一氧化氮和一氧化氮合酶活性的影响

目的研究香菇多糖(LTN)诱导巨噬细胞的一氧化氮(NO)生成和一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)的活性,探讨LTN的免疫调节作用机理.方法采用Griess反应和荧光法测定不同剂量的LTN作用小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞后NO的生成量和iNOS活性.观察mRNA转录抑制剂、蛋白质合成抑制剂和iNOS抑制剂对巨噬细胞NO的生成和iNOS活性的影响.结果LTN能使小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞NO生成增加,iNOS活性增高,并呈作用剂量依赖关系.3种抑制剂均能抑制LTN诱导的小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞N0的生成和iNOS活性.结论LTN能刺激小鼠腹腔巨噬细胞提高iNOS活性和NO的生成.提示LTN的免疫调节作用机制可能与LTN刺激巨噬细胞NO生成有关.     

一氧化氮对大鼠实验性肝纤维化的影响

目的　研究一氧化氮 (NO)在肝纤维化发病中的作用。方法　建立大鼠肝纤维化模型 ,给予NO前体———L 精氨酸 (L Arg)及一氧化氮合酶 (NOS)抑制剂———硝基 L 精氨酸 (L NNA) ,应用病理组织学检查、放免法及生化学方法 ,观察其对肝纤维化程度、透明质酸 (HA)含量、谷 草转氨酶 (AST)及谷 丙转氨酶 (ALT)活性的影响 ,同时测定NO、一氧化氮合酶 (NOS)水平变化。结果　NO能明显降低肝纤维化程度、HA含量、AST及ALT活性。结论　NO对大鼠具有保护肝细胞和抗肝纤维化作用     

Inhibition of nitric oxide production from lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 cells by synthetic flavones: Structure-activity relationship and action mechanism

Recent investigations have shown that certain flavonoids, especially flavone derivatives, inhibit nitric oxide (NO) production by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in macrophages, which contribute their anti-inflammatory action. For the purpose of finding the optimized chemical structures of flavonoids that inhibit NO production, various A- and B-ring substituted flavones were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity using lipopolysaccharide-treated RAW 264.7 cells. It was found that the optimal chemical structures were A-ring 5,7-dihydroxyflavones having the B-ring 2',3'-dihydroxy or 3',4'-dihydroxy or 3',4'-hydroxy/methoxy (methoxy/hydroxy) groups. These structurally optimized compounds were revealed to be down-regulators of iNOS induction, but not direct iNOS inhibitors. Of these derivatives that were evaluated, 2',3',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone and 3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone (luteolin) showed the strongest inhibition. The IC50 values for these compounds were 19.7 and 17.1 microM, respectively. Therefore, these compounds may have a potential as new anti-inflammatory agents.     

普伐他汀对人内皮祖细胞一氧化氮合成的影响

目的观察普伐他汀对人内皮祖细胞（EPCs）一氧化氮（NO）合成的影响。方法密度梯度离心法获取外周血单个核细胞,培养7d后,收集贴壁细胞并分别加入普伐他汀,10μmol/L及100μmol/L干预48h,免疫组化、荧光显微镜和流式细胞仪鉴定EPC,用RT-PCR方法测定对细胞内皮型一氧化氮合酶（eNOS）mRNA表达的影响,并用硝酸还原酶法测定培养液中一氧化氮（NO）的水平。结果普伐他汀组的人内皮祖细胞eNOS mRNA的表达、NO的合成明显增加。结论普伐他汀可增加人内皮祖细胞eNOS mRNA的表达和NO的合成     

Endothelin-1-mediated coronary vasoconstriction deteriorates myocardial depression in hearts isolated from lipopolysaccharide-treated rats: interaction with nitric oxide

1. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the contribution of disturbance of coronary perfusion to myocardial depression in hearts isolated from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats and to investigate the involvement of endothelin (ET)-1 and nitric oxide (NO). 2. Rats were treated with LPS (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and, 4 h later, plasma ET-1 concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay and hearts were excised for perfusion at a constant perfusion flow. The selective ETA receptor antagonist BQ-123, in the absence or presence of aminoguanidine, a specific inhibitor of inducible NO synthase, was given 15 min before LPS challenge. Coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) and measures of myocardial contractile function were recorded. 3. In hearts isolated from LPS-treated rats, there was a marked increase in CPP that was abolished by pretreatment with BQ-123. In parallel, an increase in plasma ET-1 concentrations was seen in these rats. Lipopolysaccharide also induced decreases in left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), the product of LVDP and heart rate and maximal rate of rise/fall of left ventricular pressure (+/- dP/dtmax). Single treatment with BQ-123 or aminoguanidine attenuated LPS-induced myocardial depression. However, when these two drugs were given simultaneously, myocardial depression elicited by LPS was blocked significantly. 4. Endothelin-1-mediated coronary vasoconstriction, together with NO, contributes to myocardial depression in hearts isolated from LPS-treated rats.     

杏仁核中一氧化氮对睡眠-觉醒的影响

目的研究杏仁核中一氧化氮（ＮＯ）对大鼠睡眠 觉醒的影响,并分析其作用机制。方法多导睡眠描记和杏仁核微量注射。结果一氧化氮合酶抑制剂Ｌ 硝基精氨酸（Ｌ ＮＮＡ）可增加慢波睡眠（ＳＷＳ）和减少觉醒（Ｗ）,而一氧化氮（ＮＯ）供体硝普钠（ＳＮＰ）可增加Ｗ、减少ＳＷＳ,并可对抗Ｌ ＮＮＡ的促睡眠效应;ＮＯ前体Ｌ 精氨酸（Ｌ Ａｒｇ）对睡眠 觉醒无直接影响,但可对抗Ｌ ＮＮＡ的促睡眠效应。环磷酸鸟苷（ｃＧＭＰ）具有明显的增加Ｗ和减少ＳＷＳ效应,而鸟苷酸环化酶抑制剂亚甲蓝（ＭＢ）增加睡眠、减少觉醒,并可阻断ＳＮＰ的促睡眠效应。结论杏仁核参与睡眠 觉醒调节,杏仁核中ＮＯ具有促进Ｗ、抑制ＳＷＳ效应,这一作用是通过激活鸟苷酸环化酶使ｃＧＭＰ增多实现的。     

Use of an electrochemical nitric oxide sensor to detect neuronal nitric oxide production in conscious, unrestrained rats

INTRODUCTION: Amperometric sensors that directly measure nitric oxide (NO) are readily employed in pharmacologic research. While several of these sensors have been developed, none has been investigated for use in conscious, freely moving animals. An approach was developed and validated for real-time quantitation of neuronal NO production in rats without restricting locomotor activity or other potentially useful behavioral endpoints. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were equipped with a femoral vein or intraperitoneal cannula. A guide cannula and an amperometric NO sensor were placed in the left and right hippocampus, respectively. Following recovery, rats received a 6-h intravenous infusion of saline, L-arginine (an NO precursor; 250 or 500 mg/kg/h), or incremental intraperitoneal 7-nitroindazole (an NO synthase inhibitor; 200-mg/kg loading dose and 100 mg/kg every 2 h). The sensor recorded NO production continuously and microdialysis samples were collected incrementally throughout the experiment. Griess assay analysis of microdialysate samples was compared to sensor readings in vivo. In vitro degradation of an NO donor also was used to validate sensor performance. RESULTS: Exogenous administration of L-arginine resulted in incremental increases in the neuronal NO signal. A reduction in NO production was observed during administration of 7-nitroindazole, a selective neuronal NO synthase inhibitor. A significant correlation was observed in vitro between the Griess assay analysis, an indirect analytical approach, and the NO sensor readings. The lack of a strong correlation between these measures in vivo is consistent with the indirect nature of the Griess assay. DISCUSSION: The current approach allows real-time determination of neuronal NO production in unrestrained rats. This model will be invaluable in evaluating pharmacologic issues regarding brain tissue NO synthesis, assessing brain NO synthase as a molecular target, and establishing the effects of pharmacologic agents on neuronal NO production.     

Effects of amlodipine on nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression and coronary microcirculation in prolonged nitric oxide blockade-induced hypertensive rats.

We evaluated the effects of long-term treatment with amlodipine, a calcium antagonist, on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and NOS messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the left ventricle (LV) and its relation to coronary reserve, and microvascular remodeling in Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced hypertensive rats. Seventeen male Sprague-Dawley rats were given L-NAME (60 mg/kg/day) in drinking water for 6 weeks to induce hypertension, and then treated with amlodipine (L-NAME + A, 5 mg/kg/day, n = 9), or a vehicle (L-NAME + V, n = 8) for 4 weeks. Age-matched rats (C, n = 8) served as the control group. An increased blood pressure in L-NAME + V was significantly decreased in L-NAME + A. Nitrite production and endothelial cell (e) NOS mRNA in the LV were significantly decreased in L-NAME + V compared with C, and were significantly increased in L-NAME + A compared with C and L-NAME + V. L-NAME + V had a significantly decreased coronary reserve and capillary density, and a significantly increased type I collagen mRNA expression, wall-to-lumen ratio, perivascular fibrosis, myocardial fibrosis, and myocyte cross-sectional area. These parameters in the microvasculature were significantly improved by amlodipine. We concluded that NOS activity and eNOS mRNA were significantly increased by amlodipine in the LV of L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats, and that these increase NOS activity and eNOS mRNA expression may play a role in the amelioration of coronary reserve and microvascular remodeling.     

金黄色葡萄球菌及大肠艾希菌对小鼠产生一氧化氮及一氧化氮合酶的影响

目的　探讨革兰阳性菌及革兰阴性菌对小鼠产生一氧化氮 (NO)及一氧化氮合酶(NOS)的影响 ,以进一步研究NO及NOS在抗感染免疫中的作用。方法　将不同剂量的金黄色葡萄球菌及大肠艾希菌制剂注入小鼠腹腔 ,10d后取小鼠血清和腹腔巨噬细胞培养上清 ,用硝酸还原酶法检测其NO的含量 ,同时测定血清中NOS的水平及抗菌抗体的效价。结果　试验组小鼠血清中NO及抗S .aureus或E .coli的抗体的水平明显高于对照组 ,P <0 0 1;腹腔巨噬细胞培养上清NO的水平亦明显高于对照组 ,P <0 0 1,NO水平各试验组间无显著性差异 ,P >0 0 5。血清中NOS的水平亦明显高于对照组P <0 0 1,且各组间有显著性差异P <0 0 1。结论　金黄色葡萄球菌及大肠艾希菌均可引起小鼠血清中NO、NOS升高 ,NO、NOS可能在抗微生物感染免疫中起着重要的作用。     

Effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on timing and short-term memory in rats

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors have been shown to affect the development of long-term potentiation and the acquisition of new learning. In the present study, we investigated the effects of NOS inhibitors in two animal models in which aspects of cognition are measured in well-learned operant tasks - a delayed non-match-to-position (DNMTP) task and a multiple signalled-unsignalled differential reinforcement of low rates (DRL) 15 s schedule - models of short-term memory and behavioral inhibition/timing, respectively. Since an overlap in the behavioral effects of NOS inhibitors and phencyclidine (PCP)-like N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists has been observed previously, we compared our results with NOS inhibitors to those obtained with PCP. Whereas PCP produced a delay-independent decrease in the DNMTP task and increased burst responding (consecutive responses with inter-response intervals of < 3 s) in both the signalled and unsignalled components of the DRL procedure, 7-nitroindazole did not affect accuracy in the DNMTP task nor did it alter the pattern of responding in either component of the DRL schedule. Similarly, NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG) and NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME) did not affect accuracy in the DNMTP task. These results suggest that NOS inhibitors do not produce PCP-like disruption of behavioral inhibition or timing, nor do they decrease accuracy in a conditional discrimination task, as has been observed with PCP. The present results lend further support to the hypothesis that nitric oxide modulation does not affect retention of well-learned tasks, although it may affect acquisition of novel behavior.