Inhibition of nitric oxide formation reduces voluntary ethanol consumption in the rat.
Brain nitric oxide is involved in the mechanisms that regulate ingestive behavior. To test whether this compound plays a role in alcohol preference, we studied the effects of different doses of NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NO arg), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), on voluntary consumption of ethanol and on blood alcohol levels produced by a single intraperitoneal dose of alcohol in the rat. L-NO arg produced a significant and dose-dependent reduction of ethanol intake (P < 0.001) without influencing total fluid consumption or feeding behavior. L-NO arg did not influence the kinetics of alcohol. Our data show that inhibition of nitric oxide formation accompanies reduction of ethanol intake and suggest a possible role for nitric oxide in ethanol self-administration.
Calapai
G
G
Institute of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Messina, Italy.
Mazzaglia
G
G
Sautebin
L
L
Costantino
G
G
Marciano
M C
MC
Cuzzocrea
S
S
Di Rosa
M
M
Caputi
A P
AP
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D019335:Nitroarginine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012646:Self Administration
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019335:Nitroarginine; D000431:Ethanol; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase