MDL 72222, a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, suppresses voluntary ethanol consumption in alcohol-preferring rats.
The effect of the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist MDL 72222 on voluntary ethanol consumption was examined in Sardinian ethanol-preferring (SP) rats in a free choice (10% ethanol and water) experiment. SP rats consumed 8.1 +/- 1.1 g/kg ethanol daily. MDL 72222 treatment (3.0, 5.0 and 7.0 mg/kg i.p. 3 times daily for 6 days) inhibited ethanol consumption during the 6 days of treatment by 25%, 50% and 75%, respectively, without modifying total fluid intake. We suggest that 5-HT3 receptor activation plays a permissive role in alcohol preference.
Fadda
F
F
Institute of Human Physiology, University of Cagliari, Italy.
Garau
B
B
Marchei
F
F
Colombo
G
G
Gessa
G L
GL
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D014326:Tropanes / Q000494:pharmacology*
D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D014326:Tropanes; C042253:bemesetron