[Experimental models for studying the avoidance response in mice and the anti-amnesic effect of prolyl endopeptidase...

Prolyl endopeptidase (PPCE) plays an important role in the degradation of biologically active peptides such as vasopressin which facilitates the process of learning and memory. Here, the effect of synthetic PPCE inhibitors (Z-Pro-, Suc-Pro-, Suc-Pyr-, Suc-Sar- and Z-prolinal) on the acquisition and retention of avoidance response was studied. Using mice of the ddY strain, tests were performed both in repeated trials of an active avoidance task and in a newly contrived one-trial passive-active avoidance task. The applicability of both tests for the evaluation of the anti-amnesic effect of the drugs was confirmed by the effect of scopolamine and arginine vasopressin (AVP). The most potent inhibitor, Z-Pro-prolinal, facilitated the acquisition of active avoidance response and retarded the extinction of the response. Other inhibitors also facilitated the retention of the acquired response. In the one-trial passive-active avoidance test, the facilitating effect of the PPCE inhibitors on the acquisition was parallel to their activity as a PPCE inhibitor. Scopolamine-induced amnesia was also improved by the inhibitors. These results suggest that the anti-amnesic effect of PPCE inhibitors is partially attributed to their inhibitory effect on the breakdown of AVP in the brain.