Fluoxetine reduces saccharin-induced elevation of fluid intake in alcohol-preferring Fawn-Hooded rats.
Previous work has established that saccharin and alcohol intakes are highly correlated in a variety of rat strains. In addition, it has been shown that alcohol-preferring rats consume saccharin beyond the limit of their normal daily fluid intake (DFI). It has been hypothesized that alcohol-preferring rats have impaired control over consumption of reinforcing substances, which may be related to a deficiency of brain serotonin. In the present study, we examined the effect of the serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine (2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg/kg, IP, twice a day) on saccharin intake in alcohol-preferring Fawn-Hooded (FH) rats. It was confirmed that alcohol preferring FH rats almost triple their DFI when saccharin/water choice was introduced. Treatment with fluoxetine resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in saccharin intake to, but not below, the normal level of their DFI. No significant effects of fluoxetine on water intake were observed. Despite a significant (up to 69%) decrease in saccharin intake, only a minimal reduction (< 4%) in saccharin preference occurred. We conclude that fluoxetine reduces the exessive elevation of fluid intake observed at the presence of the palatable saccharin solution in Fawn-Hooded rats. These findings may provide more evidence for the involvement of the serotonergic system in the brain in exessive drinking of rewarding substances.
Kampov-Polevoy
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AB
Skipper Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina School of Medicine at Chapel Hill 27599-7178, USA.
Rezvani
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AH
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D000818:Animals; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects*; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D012439:Saccharin / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D005473:Fluoxetine; D012439:Saccharin