The GABA(B) receptor agonists baclofen and CGP 44532 prevent acquisition of alcohol drinking behaviour in alcohol-preferring rats.
OBJECTIVE
The present study investigated the effect of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)(B) receptor agonists, baclofen and CGP 44532, on the acquisition of alcohol drinking behaviour in selectively bred Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats.


METHODS
Baclofen [0, 1 and 3 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)] and CGP 44532 (0, 0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered immediately before alcohol presentation to alcohol-naive sP rats. Alcohol was offered under the two-bottle free-choice regimen with unlimited access for 24 h/day. Drug treatment was repeated once daily for 10 consecutive days.


RESULTS
Baclofen and CGP 44532, dose-dependently and with comparable efficacy, suppressed alcohol intake; compensatory increases in water intake left total fluid intakes virtually unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that baclofen and CGP 44532 prevent the acquisition of alcohol drinking behaviour in sP rats, and suggest the involvement of the GABA(B) receptor in the mechanisms underlying the disclosure and experience of the reinforcing properties of alcohol in this rat line.
Colombo
Giancarlo
G
C.N.R. Institute of Neurogenetics and Neuropharmacology, Cagliari, Italy.
Serra
Salvatore
S
Brunetti
Giuliana
G
Atzori
Giuliana
G
Pani
Marialaura
M
Vacca
Giovanni
G
Addolorato
Giovanni
G
Froestl
Wolfgang
W
Carai
Mauro A M
MA
Gessa
Gian Luigi
GL
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010721:Phosphinic Acids; D051381:Rats; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives
C112036:3-amino-2-(S)-hydroxypropyl-methyl-phosphinic acid; D063065:Organophosphonates; D010721:Phosphinic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D001418:Baclofen