title: GM1 ganglioside reduces ethanol intoxication and the development of ethanol dependence.
abstract: The monosialoganglioside, GM1, protects the nervous system against a variety of insults. In this study, we evaluated the protective properties of GM1 on ethanol intoxication and development of dependence. GM1 (20-40 mg/kg, IP) reduced the extent and duration of ataxia produced by ethanol (2 g/kg, IP, 15-95 min), and delayed the onset of loss and reduced the duration of the righting reflex (LORR) produced by ethanol (4.2 g/kg, IP). GM1 did not alter ethanol-induced hypothermia or the rate of ethanol clearance. Rather, GM1 increased the waking blood ethanol concentration. In animals fed a complete liquid diet containing 4.5% ethanol, concurrent administration of GM1 (40 mg/kg/day) blocked the tremors, hypolocomotion, and anxiety-like behavior associated with ethanol withdrawal. These findings demonstrate that GM1 reduces both ethanol's acute intoxication and the signs and symptoms of ethanol withdrawal by a mechanism not related to ethanol pharmacokinetics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of North Texas Health Sciences Center at Fort Worth 76107, USA.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Wallis
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rezazadeh
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lal
mesh_terms: D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology; D001259:Ataxia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D005677:G(M1) Ganglioside; D000431:Ethanol