title: Regulation of alcohol consumption by the renin-angiotensin system: a review of recent findings and a possible mechanism of action.
abstract: The renin-angiotensin system has traditionally been associated with the regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance. In this review we summarize the data which ascribes a completely new function to this system, i.e., the regulation of alcohol consumption. In addition, we suggest a possible mechanism for this effect based on the concept of a satiety or stop process. The approach taken was to examine the effect on alcohol intake of a wide variety of drug, genetic, dietary, surgical and neurosurgical manipulations, each of which has a range of biological effects characteristic of that manipulation, but all of which share the common property of altering activity in the renin-angiotensin system. The effect of these manipulations on alcohol intake was most parsimoniously explained by reference to their ability to raise or lower activity in the renin-angiotensin system. Any intervention which modulates activity in this system, either directly or indirectly, is likely to have consequences for alcohol consumption.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Grupp
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Perlanski
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology*