Naloxone decreases ethanol consumption within a free choice paradigm in rats.
The effect of subcutaneous naloxone administration on the consumption of a weak ethanol solution in rats on the three consecutive days (testing days) was investigated using a behavioral paradigm which includes a first forced ethanol exposure (conditioning day) followed by a two-bottle ethanol/water choice procedure. Besides reducing fluid intake, naloxone treatment prior to forced ethanol exposure interferes with the acquisition of ethanol preference. Post-conditioning naloxone administration fails to affect ethanol preference. Administration of naloxone prior to the first testing session induces a reduction on total fluid intake, at the day of treatment; a decrease on ethanol preference throughout the three consecutive testing days is also observed with the higher dose of the antagonist (5 mg/kg). An involvement of endogenous opioids in ethanol consumption is suggested through the modulation of alcohol reinforcement or the affective quality of the gustatory cue.
Sandi
C
C
Department of Psychobiology, Cajal Institute, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
Borrell
J
J
Guaza
C
C
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D009270:Naloxone