Study of tetrahydrobiopterin and 6-methyltetrahydropterin on alcohol dependence in mice.
The literature establishes a potential link between the function of tetrahydroisoquinolines in the biological actions of alcohol and the reduced pterin cofactor needed for synthesis of certain neurotransmitters. The effect of the administration of 6-methyltetrahydropterin and tetrahydrobiopterin upon alcohol withdrawal in mice was tested. Dependence was produced by ip administration of alcohol, supplemented by alcohol delivered by a subcutaneously implanted silastic tube. Administration of the reduced pterins at relatively high doses did not reduce the magnitude of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D011621:Pteridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011622:Pterins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control
D011621:Pteridines; D011622:Pterins; D001708:Biopterins; D000431:Ethanol; C017523:6-methyltetrahydropterin; C003402:sapropterin