Journal of Basic and Clinical Pathophysiology

Journal of Basic and Clinical Pathophysiology

Effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibition on ovarian cystogenesis induced by morphine injection into ventro-medial nucleus of hypothalamus (VMH) of female Wistar rats

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Shima Kakavand 1
Manizheh Karami 2
1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
2 Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
10.22070/jbcp.2024.19455.1181
Abstract
Background and Objective: Polycystic ovary (PCO) causes infertility and morphine use has been shown to induce this disorder. Microinjection of L-NAME, a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) into the ventro-medial hypothalamus (VMH) may interfere with this effect as our aim
Materials and Methods: Female Wistar rats with a weight range of 200 to 250 g received morphine (0.001-0.4 µg/rat) intra-VMH with AP coordinates= -1.96. L-NAME (0.1-0.4 μg/rat, intra-VMH) was used alone or as a pre-injection to the effective dose of morphine. L-arginine (0.1-0.4 μg/rat, intra-VMH) was also injected alone or cumulatively with the inhibitor to elucidate the mechanism. Control group received saline (1 µL/rat), intra-VMH. Finally, the animals were anesthetized with ketamine and xylazine and the ovaries and uterus were dissected and examined pathologically. All data were analyzed using ANOVA (α= 0.05).
Results: Ovaries of morphine-treated rats showed a polycystic appearance, but the number of cysts in rats receiving L-NAME, intra-VMH, was significantly reduced. L-NAME/L-arginine intervention in the presence of morphine also had a reducing effect on cyst formation.
Conclusion: Induction of PCO by morphine injection in VMH may be involved in opioid receptors signaling and NOS enzyme activation, which is slowed by L-NAME intervention.
Keywords
Morphine
L-NAME
L-Arginine
Ventro-medial hypothalamus
Polycystic ovary
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Journal of Basic and Clinical Pathophysiology
Volume 12, Issue 2
October 2024
Pages 22-28