Zacopride, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, reduces voluntary ethanol consumption in rats.
The effect of the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, zacopride, was assessed in male Sprague-Dawley rats in free choice (6% ethanol and water) experiments. In Experiment 1, single zacopride (0.01-10 mg/kg, IP) injections failed to alter ethanol (ET) consumption during 1-h restricted ET access. In Experiment 2, zacopride (5.0 and 10 mg/kg, IP) injected twice daily for 5 days significantly reduced ET intake and ET preference during 24-h free access to 6% ET and water without altering the total volume of fluid consumed. Thus, the schedule of ET access (i.e., free vs. restricted) and/or the duration of drug treatment may determine the efficacy of pharmacological agents in altering ET preference. 5-HT3 receptor blockade may reduce serotonin/dopamine-mediated maintenance of ET preference; a process that may proceed via extinction mechanisms.
Knapp
D J
DJ
Center of Alcohol Studies, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08855-0969.
Pohorecky
L A
LA
D000818:Animals; D001549:Benzamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology
D001549:Benzamides; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; D019086:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D000431:Ethanol; C055971:zacopride