Research Paper
Subject Category: Neuropharmacology
British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 471–479; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.96; published online 31 March 2008
Neuropeptide S is a stimulatory anxiolytic agent: a behavioural study in mice
A Rizzi1, R Vergura1, G Marzola1, C Ruzza1, R Guerrini2, S Salvadori2, D Regoli1 and G Calo1
- 1Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Pharmacology and National Institute of Neuroscience, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- 2Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biotechnology Center, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
Correspondence: Dr A Rizzi, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara, 19, Ferrara 44100, Italy. E-mail: a.rizzi@unife.it
Received 12 December 2007; Revised 29 January 2008; Accepted 6 February 2008; Published online 31 March 2008.
Abstract
Background and purpose:
Neuropeptide S (NPS) was recently identified as the endogenous ligand of an orphan receptor, now referred to as the NPS receptor. In vivo, NPS produces a unique behavioural profile by increasing wakefulness and exerting anxiolytic-like effects. In the present study, we further evaluated the effects of in vivo supraspinal NPS in mice.
Experimental approach:
Effects of NPS, injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), on locomotor activity (LA), righting reflex (RR) recovery and on anxiety states (measured with the elevated plus maze (EPM) and stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) tests) were assessed in Swiss mice.
Key results:
NPS (0.01–1 nmol per mouse) caused a significant increase in LA in naive mice, in mice habituated to the test cages and in animals sedated with diazepam (5 mg kg- 1). In the RR assay, NPS dose dependently reduced the proportion of animals losing the RR in response to diazepam (15 mg kg- 1) and their sleeping time. In the EPM and SIH test, NPS dose dependently evoked anxiolytic-like effects by increasing the time spent by animals in the open arms and reducing the SIH response, respectively.
Conclusions and implications:
We provide further evidence that NPS acts as a novel modulator of arousal and anxiety-related behaviours by promoting a unique pattern of effects: stimulation associated with anxiolysis. Therefore, NPS receptor ligands may represent innovative drugs for the treatment of sleep and anxiety disorders.
Keywords:
Neuropeptide S, locomotor activity, righting reflex recovery, elevated plus maze test, stress induced hyperthermia, mice
Abbreviations:
EPM, elevated plus maze; LA, locomotor activity; NPS, neuropeptide S; RR, righting reflex recovery; SIH, stress-induced hyperthermia
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