title: Consequences of monosodium glutamate or goldthioglucose arcuate nucleus lesions on ethanol-induced locomotion.
abstract: It has been suggested that the endogenous opioid system, especially beta-endorphins, may play an important role in the behavioral effects of ethanol. The main site of beta-endorphin synthesis in the brain is the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC). In the present study, we used the neurotoxins monosodium glutamate (MSG) or goldthioglucose (GTG) to produce a selective ARC lesion and to assess its effects on the locomotion observed after ethanol administration. The results show that MSG or GTG pre-treatment produces a blockade of the increased locomotion produced by the injection of low and moderate doses of ethanol (0.5 and 1.5 g/kg, respectively). These effects were observed in the absence of any change in blood ethanol levels. On the other hand, MSG (but not GTG) pre-treatment enhanced the locomotor depression produced by higher doses of this alcohol (2.5 g/kg). Finally, caffeine (10 mg/kg)-induced locomotion was unaffected by the aforementioned neurotoxic agents. Thus, taken together, the present results suggest that MSG and GTG administration produce a blockade of the stimulating effects of ethanol on locomotion in mice and thus provides further support for a role of the ARC in the behavioral effects observed after ethanol administration.
authors.affiliation: Area de Psicobiologia, Universitat Jaume I., Campus de Borriol, Apartat 8029 AP, 12071, Castelló, Spain.
authors.forename: Carles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sanchis-Segura
authors.forename: Carlos M G
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Aragon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001111:Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006051:Aurothioglucose; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D012970:Sodium Glutamate; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006051:Aurothioglucose; D002110:Caffeine; D000431:Ethanol; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D012970:Sodium Glutamate