title: Induction of physical dependence upon ethanol in rats using intravenous infusion.
abstract: Intravenous infusions were used to produce physical dependence upon ethanol in rats. The procedure proved to be safe, rapid, and reliable. Ethanol (30% v/v) was administered over a 7-day period. The mean daily dose ranged from 10--14 g/kg/day. Control rats were exposed to a comparable procedure except that saline, rather than ethanol, was infused. All ethanol treated rats that survived the intoxication period (n = 11) showed signs of physical dependence (moderate to severe, n = 8; mild, n = 3) following ethanol withdrawal. Saline treated rats (n = 8) did not show any of these symptoms. The most reliable ethanol withdrawal signs observed were: spontaneous seizure (n = 7), audiogenic seizure (n = 7), tremors (n = 6), tail stiffening (n = 10) and body rigidity (n = 9). These symptoms were analyzed in terms of their hour of onset and hour of maximum intensity following ethanol withdrawal. Application of the intravenous method for the study of ethanol self-administration is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000139:chemically induced; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol