Brain nitric oxide is involved in the mechanisms that regulate ingestive behaviour. To test whether this compound plays a role in alcohol preference, we studied the effects of different doses of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NO arg), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), on voluntary consumption of ethanol and on blood alcohol levels produced by a single intraperitoneal dose of alcohol in the rat. L-NO arg produced a significant and dose-dependent reduction of ethanol intake (P < 0.001) without influencing total fluid consumption or feeding behaviour. L-NO arg did not influence the kinetics of alcohol. Our data show that inhibition of nitric oxide formation accompanies reduction of ethanol intake and suggest a possible role for nitric oxide in ethanol self-administration.
Inhibition of nitric oxide formation reduces voluntary ethanol consumption in the rat
CALAPAI, Gioacchino;CUZZOCREA, Salvatore;CAPUTI, Achille
1996-01-01
Abstract
Brain nitric oxide is involved in the mechanisms that regulate ingestive behaviour. To test whether this compound plays a role in alcohol preference, we studied the effects of different doses of N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NO arg), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), on voluntary consumption of ethanol and on blood alcohol levels produced by a single intraperitoneal dose of alcohol in the rat. L-NO arg produced a significant and dose-dependent reduction of ethanol intake (P < 0.001) without influencing total fluid consumption or feeding behaviour. L-NO arg did not influence the kinetics of alcohol. Our data show that inhibition of nitric oxide formation accompanies reduction of ethanol intake and suggest a possible role for nitric oxide in ethanol self-administration.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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