Does ethanol stimulate brain opiate receptors? Studies on receptor binding and naloxone inhibition of ethanol-induced effects.
The ability of ethanol to stimulate opiate receptors was investigated. Administration of ethanol 2-3.5 g/kg in rats induced analgesia as tested by the tail flick method, reduced body temperature, impaired sensorimotor performance and induced "sleep". Naloxone HCI (0.5-10 mg/kg) did not significantly attenuate these ethanol-induced behavioural changes. [3H]Etorphine binding to opiate receptors in membrane preparations from rat and mouse brains was unchanged by ethanol concentrations of 0.05-3% (v/v). It was concluded that the ethanol effects studied were not mediated by naloxone-sensitive opiate receptors.
D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009270:Naloxone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011957:Receptors, Opioid / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects
D011957:Receptors, Opioid; D009270:Naloxone; D000431:Ethanol