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[The regulation of NO on sleep-wakefulness in rats]
1Department of Physiology, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200025.
Aim And Methods:
The effects of an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase L-NAME and a precursor of NO(L-arginine) on sleep-wakefulness in rats were examined.
Results:
1. The time of waking was increased(P < 0.01) and the time of SWS was decreased(P < 0.01) during the first two hours after injection intracerebroventricularly(i.c.v.) of L-NAME 1 mg, this effect was showed across the 4 h recording period(P < 0.05). The i.c.v. injection of L-NAME 0.2 mg had no significant effect. 2. The time of waking was su-ppressed during the third and fourth hours after i.c.v. injection of L-arginine 300 micrograms(P < 0.05). At the same time the increase of SWS was observed (P < 0.01). 3. There was no change on W, SWS, PS when L-NAME 1 mg was given after administration of L-arginine.
Conclusion:
The excitatory effect of L-NAME on wakefulness is mediated by inhibition of NOS. This effect could be antagonized by L-arginine. It suggests that NO is involved in regulation of sleep-wakefulness.