Morphine enhances selection of both sucrose and ethanol in a two-bottle test.
The influence of a low dose of morphine on the self-selection of alcohol and sucrose solutions is investigated. When given a choice between sucrose sweetened ethanol and plain water, rats show a significant preference for the sweetened ethanol. However, when given a choice between sweetened ethanol and sweetened water, rats increase consumption of sweetened water. These results suggest that the low-dose morphine enhancement of sweetened alcohol solutions is mediated by the reinforcing properties of sucrose not ethanol. However, when rats receive small doses of morphine and a choice between unsweetened ethanol and water, the rats increase consumption of ethanol. Therefore, a low dose of morphine enhances the self-selection of both sucrose and ethanol solutions. This provides additional confirmation that opioids may enhance the rewarding properties of a variety of appetite reinforcers.
Stromberg
M F
MF
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA.
Meister
S
S
Volpicelli
J R
JR
Ulm
R R
RR
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D000818:Animals; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013395:Sucrose / Q000494:pharmacology; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects*
D009294:Narcotics; D013395:Sucrose; D009020:Morphine