title: Inhibitors of Calcium-Activated Anion Channels Modulate Hypnotic Ethanol Responses in Adult Sprague Dawley Rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ethanol is widely known for its depressant effects; however, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are not clear. Calcium-activated anion channels (CAACs) contribute to extracellular chloride levels and thus may be involved in regulating inhibitory mechanisms within the central nervous system. Therefore, we hypothesized that CAACs influence ethanol behavioral sensitivity by altering CAAC expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  We assessed the role of CAACs in ethanol-induced loss of righting reflex (LORR) and locomotor activity using intracerebroventricular infusions of several nonselective CAAC blockers. CAAC expression was determined after ethanol exposure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ethanol-induced LORR (4.0 g/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) was significantly attenuated by all 4 CAAC blockers. Blocking CAACs did not impact ethanol's low-dose (1.5 g/kg, i.p.) locomotor-impairing effects. Biochemical analysis of CAAC protein expression revealed that cortical Bestrophin1 (Best1) and Tweety1 levels were reduced as early as 30 minutes following a single ethanol injection (3.5 g/kg, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) and remained decreased 24 hours later in P2 fractions. Cortical Best1 levels were also reduced following 1.5 g/kg. However, CAAC expression was unaltered in the striatum following a single ethanol exposure. Ethanol did not affect Tweety2 levels in either brain region.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that CAACs are a major target of ethanol in vivo, and the regulation of these channels contributes to select behavioral actions of ethanol.
authors: Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University - State University of New York, Binghamton, New York.
authors: Jenna M
authors: JM
authors: Carter
authors: Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University - State University of New York, Binghamton, New York.
authors: Justine D
authors: JD
authors: Landin
authors: Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University - State University of New York, Binghamton, New York.|Department of Health and Human Services, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors: Eduardo D
authors: ED
authors: Gigante
authors: Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University - State University of New York, Binghamton, New York.
authors: Samuel P
authors: SP
authors: Rieger
authors: Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University - State University of New York, Binghamton, New York.
authors: Marvin R
authors: MR
authors: Diaz
authors: Department of Psychology, Center for Development and Behavioral Neuroscience, Binghamton University - State University of New York, Binghamton, New York.
authors: David F
authors: DF
authors: Werner
mesh_terms: D017878:4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005439:Flufenamic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D009544:Niflumic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D009579:Nitrobenzoates / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D057897:Reflex, Righting / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D015220:Calcium Channels; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009579:Nitrobenzoates; C058176:5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid; D000431:Ethanol; D009544:Niflumic Acid; D005439:Flufenamic Acid; D017878:4,4'-Diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-Disulfonic Acid
keywords: Anxiety; Calcium-Activated Anion Channels; Ethanol; Hypnosis; Sedation