Background and purpose. Neuropeptide S (NPS) was recently identified as the endogenous ligand of a previously orphan receptor now referred to as NPSR. In vivo, NPS produces a unique behavioral profile by increasing wakefulness and exerting anxiolytic-like effects. In the present study we further evaluated the in vivo effects of supraspinal NPS in mice. Experimental approach. We assessed, in mice, the effects of intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) injected NPS 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. 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 percent 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 evokes anxiolytic-like effects by increasing the time (s) spent by animals in the open arms and reducing the stress-induced hyperthermic response, respectively. Conclusions and Implications. We provide further evidence that NPS acts as a novel modulator of arousal and anxiety-related behaviors by promoting a unique pattern of effects: stimulation associated with anxiolysis. Therefore NPSR ligands may represent innovative drugs for the treatment of sleep and anxiety disorders.

Neuropeptides S is a stimulatory anxiolytic – a behavioral study in mice

CALO', Girolamo
2008

Abstract

Background and purpose. Neuropeptide S (NPS) was recently identified as the endogenous ligand of a previously orphan receptor now referred to as NPSR. In vivo, NPS produces a unique behavioral profile by increasing wakefulness and exerting anxiolytic-like effects. In the present study we further evaluated the in vivo effects of supraspinal NPS in mice. Experimental approach. We assessed, in mice, the effects of intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) injected NPS 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. 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 percent 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 evokes anxiolytic-like effects by increasing the time (s) spent by animals in the open arms and reducing the stress-induced hyperthermic response, respectively. Conclusions and Implications. We provide further evidence that NPS acts as a novel modulator of arousal and anxiety-related behaviors by promoting a unique pattern of effects: stimulation associated with anxiolysis. Therefore NPSR ligands may represent innovative drugs for the treatment of sleep and anxiety disorders.
2008
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Rizzi et al - Neuropeptide S is a stimulatory anxiolytic agent - a behavioural study in mice.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Published (publisher's version)
Licenza: Accesso gratuito
Dimensione 174.29 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
174.29 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/3387378
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 164
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
  • OpenAlex ND
social impact