Hypothalamic vasopressin mRNA levels in mice are decreased after chronic ethanol ingestion.
Vasopressin mRNA levels in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus, measured by in situ hybridization with a 35S-labeled RNA probe, were decreased by nearly 50% in C57BL/6NCR mice that had ingested an ethanol-containing diet for 7 days, and were tolerant to and physically dependent on ethanol. At 24 h after withdrawal, vasopressin mRNA levels in the supraoptic nucleus were still decreased, while levels in the paraventricular nucleus returned toward control values. Although plasma osmolality was increased in ethanol-fed mice, there was no increase in plasma vasopressin levels, possibly as a result of the effect of chronic ethanol ingestion to decrease vasopressin synthesis. In contrast, in mice that were dehydrated, but not fed ethanol, plasma osmolality, plasma vasopressin levels, and hypothalamic vasopressin mRNA all increased, as expected. The data suggest that chronic ethanol ingestion interferes with the synthesis and secretion of vasopressin, and may result in the reduced ability of an individual to respond to physiological stimuli for vasopressin secretion.
Ishizawa
H
H
Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Dave
J R
JR
Liu
L I
LI
Tabakoff
B
B
Hoffman
P L
PL
D000818:Animals; D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics); D003720:Densitometry; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010286:Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D013462:Sulfur Radioisotopes; D013495:Supraoptic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D014667:Vasopressins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics
D016375:Antisense Elements (Genetics); D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013462:Sulfur Radioisotopes; D014667:Vasopressins; D000431:Ethanol