Effect of concurrent saccharin intake on ethanol consumption by high-alcohol-drinking (UChB) rats.
This study examined the effect of concurrent presentation of a highly palatable saccharin solution on ethanol consumption during the acquisition or maintenance of ethanol drinking by high-alcohol-drinking (UChB) rats. Rats were exposed to ethanol (10% v/v) and water under a home cage, two-bottle, free-choice regimen with unlimited access for 24 hours/day. After 7 days (acquisition) of ethanol exposure, a third bottle containing saccharin (0.2% w/v) was concomitantly offered for an additional seven consecutive days, and the same process was repeated after 3 months (maintenance) of ethanol exposure. We found that concurrent saccharin intake significantly reduced ethanol intake by UChB rats after 7 days of ethanol exposure indicating that preference for sweet taste tends to override the preference for ethanol. However, the concurrent saccharin presentation to rats after 3 months of stable ethanol consumption did not reduce ethanol intake, whereas their saccharin consumption reached polydipsic-like values. These results support the notion that in UChB rats, a time-dependent sensitization to the rewarding effects of ethanol is developed that may account for the increases in ethanol volition seen following chronic ethanol intake.
Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile. ltampier@med.uchile.cl
Lutske
L
Tampier
Maria Elena
ME
Quintanilla
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D000818:Animals; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D004326:Drinking; D005260:Female; D009042:Motivation; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012439:Saccharin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects*
D012439:Saccharin