Prevention of DOI-mediated wet dog shakes by inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to determine if (+/-)-1-(2, 5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI)-induced wet dog shakes (WDS) required the involvement of nitric oxide synthases (NOS). Systemic administration of the general NOS inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), but not its d-isomer, and the neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitor 7-nitroindazole completely blocked DOI-mediated WDS in a dose dependent manner. The data provides evidence that serotonin 5HT2 receptors are coupled to nNOS activation in the rat brain.