title: 5-HT3 receptor over-expression enhances ethanol sensitivity in mice.
abstract: Ethanol sensitivity may play a role in the risk of developing alcoholism. The role of 5-HT3 receptors in sensitivity to ethanol was assessed in mice over-expressing the 5-HT3 receptor in the forebrain. Sleep time and ED50 for loss of righting reflex (LRR) were used to assess the effect of a high dose of ethanol in transgenic versus non-transgenic mice. The ED50 for ethanol-induced increase in open field activity was used to measure differences in sensitivity to low dose ethanol. The ED50 for ethanol-induced increase in activity was 41% lower in the 5-HT3 receptor over-expressing transgenic mice compared to non-transgenic mice. However, 5-HT3 receptor over-expressing mice did not differ from control mice in ethanol metabolism, ED50 for LRR, and ethanol sleep time. Over-expression of 5-HT3 receptors in mouse forebrain results in an enhanced sensitivity to the stimulating effects of a low dose of ethanol without altering ethanol sedating effects or ethanol metabolism. These data suggest that 5-HT3 receptors modulate low dose ethanol sensitivity and may explain why, in previous studies, these mice consume less ethanol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque 87131, USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Allan
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016548:Prosencephalon / Q000502:physiology; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D044406:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT3; D000431:Ethanol