engleski

Alcohol preference in rats with genetically altered serotonin homeostasis

Introduction: Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT)system appears to play an important role in the important role in the neurobiological mechanisms underlying regulation of alcohol intake, but relationship of serotonergic neurotransmission to alcohol intake, abuse and dependence remains to be fully elucidated. In our laboratory two sublines of Wistar-derived rats, named high-PS and low-PS rats, were developed by selective breeding for the extreme values of platelet serotonin (PS) and the activity of platelet serotonin transporter. Differences in 5HT transporter between sublines were confirmed at mRNA and protein levels. Genetical selection resulted in various functional 5HT-related consequences (different response to serotonergic agents, immunological reactivity, aggregation of platelets, etc.) in selected sublines, indicating constitutionally altered serotonin homeostasis. The aim of this work was to compare ethanol drinking pattern in rats from the high and low-PS sublines. Methods: Male and female rats from both sublines, differing approximately double in their PS level were used. After a one week period of forced alcohol drinking, individually housed rats (N=6 per group) were given free access to water and 3, 6 or 12% ethanol (two-bottle choice test) for 10 days. Fluid intake and body weight were monitored daily and alcohol preference were defined in terms of alcohol intake (g ethanol/kg body wt/day) and percentage of total fluid consumed. Results: Animals from the high-PS subline demonstrated lower alcohol preference than animals from the low-PS subline. In both sublines alcohol consumption of the females exceeded that of males. Conclusion: Differences in ethanol intake/preferences in our sublines are in line with evidences that serotonin mediates alcohol intake such that increases in serotonergic functioning decrease ethanol intake.

serotonin; ethanol; rat; genetical selection

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