[Effects of intracerebroventricular administration of a caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK on behavior of rats]

Full Abstract

Rats received intracerebroventricular injections of z-DEVD-FMK (caspase-3 inhibitor) or z-FA-FMK (control peptide) in a dose of 3 nmol. Administration of z-DEVD-FMK significantly decreased the number of avoidance reactions in some blocks of trials in active avoidance (shuttle box) learning. However, only slight effect of the caspase inhibitor across the session was found. Z-DEVD-FMK impaired development of some essential components of the two-way active avoidance performance, such as escape reaction, conditioned fear reaction, and inter-trial crossings. Z-DEVD-FMK did not impair working memory in the spontaneous alternation behavior paradigm. Z-DEVD-FMK affected neither emotionality nor locomotor activity in the open-field test. It also did not influence behavior in the light-dark chamber. Measurement of caspase-3 activity in rat brain regions involved in active avoidance learning revealed z-DEVD-FMK-related inhibition of the enzyme activity most pronounced (about 30%) in the fronto-parietal cortex; a similar effect was close to significant in the hippocampus. The results suggest the involvement of brain caspase-3 in selected forms of learning.

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Author information

Author/s: Stapanichev, M Iu (MIu); Kudriashova, I V (IV); Iakovlev, A A (AA); Vorontsova, O N (ON); Lazareva, N A (NA); Guliaeva, N V (NV);

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: English Abstract; Journal Article

Journal: Zhurnal vysshei nervnoi deiatelnosti imeni I P Pavlova (Zh Vyssh Nerv Deiat Im I P Pavlova), published in Russia (Federation). (Language: rus)

Reference: -2006 Mar-Apr; vol 56 (issue 2) : pp 247-56

Dates: Created 2006/06/07; Completed 2006/07/12; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16756133, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals
Caspase 3
Caspases - analysis; antagonists & inhibitors
Cerebral Cortex - enzymology
Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors - administration & dosage
Escape Reaction - drug effects

Escape Reaction - drug effects
Hippocampus - enzymology
Injections, Intraventricular
Learning
Oligopeptides - administration & dosage
Rats

Associated Chemicals: Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors (0) ; Oligopeptides (0) ; benzoylcarbonyl-aspartyl-glutamyl-valyl-aspartyl-fluoromethyl ketone (0) ; Casp3 protein, rat (EC 3.4.22.-) ; Caspase 3 (EC 3.4.22.-) ; Caspases (EC 3.4.22.-)

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