Nitrous oxide acutely suppresses ethanol consumption in HAD and P rats.
Nitrous oxide (N2O) has been reported to reduce post-withdrawal craving in alcoholic humans, aiding in their continued abstinence. This article assessed the ability of N2O to suppress alcohol drinking in genetically selected high alcohol-drinking (HAD) and alcohol-preferring (P) rats. Although water was available ad libitum, they were accustomed to a limited access (1 h/day) choice between 10% ethanol (EtOH) and water. When drinking stabilized, the rats were exposed for 30, 60, or 120 min to a mixture of N2O and pure oxygen, timed to end 1 h before the limited access. N2O suppressed EtOH consumption at 1, but not 25 h after exposure in both HAD and P rats. This result is consistent with the efficacy of N2O for acute reduction of EtOH drinking, and supports further research into the use of N2O as an adjunct to treatment.
Kosobud
Ann E K
AE
Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Kebabian
Clara E
CE
Rebec
George V
GV
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009609:Nitrous Oxide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D013997:Time Factors
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000431:Ethanol; D009609:Nitrous Oxide