Melanin-concentrating hormone, hippocampal nitric oxide levels and memory retention

The Present study. attempts to determine, if the effect of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) upon memory retention is correlated with changes in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and tissue levels of nitric oxide (NO) and cGMP. We used a behavioral experiment using a step-down inhibitory avoidance test, the biochemical determinations of NO and cGMP, and electrophysiological model. Results of behavioral studies (step-down test) showed that MCH administration reverts the amnesic effects induced by N-G-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOArg). Moreover, electrophysiological studies demonstrated that L-NOArg did not block the potentiation induced by the peptide. Hippocampal NO and cGMP levels increased after M,CH injection. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.