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Intravenous oxytocin reduces alcohol self‐administration in baboons
Author(s) -
Moore Catherine,
Lee Mary,
Weerts Elise
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2021.35.s1.02410
Subject(s) - self administration , oxytocin , alcohol , medicine , saline , ethanol , dosing , anesthesia , pharmacology , chemistry , biochemistry
Aim The polypeptide hormone oxytocin (OT) has been proposed as a treatment for various neuropsychiatric disorders, including alcohol and drug use disorders. The aim of the present study was to examine whether treatment with intravenous (IV) OT decreases alcohol consumption in a nonhuman primate model. Methods In an ongoing study, baboons were housed in cages which also functioned as the experimental chamber. Cages were fitted with an intelligence panel with levers, stimulus lights and a drinkometer for controlled delivery of solutions. A 3‐sec tone signaled the start of the 6‐hr session, during which responses on designated lever activated the drinkometer. Completion of the lever response requirement (fixed‐ratio 3 schedule of reinforcement) resulted in the illumination of a white jewel light above the drinkometer, which indicated the availability of an alcohol drink via contact with the drink spout. Alcohol drinks were 4% w/v of ethyl alcohol (95%) mixed in reverse osmosis water. Stable self‐administration of alcohol was established prior to administration of four doses of OT (20, 40, 80, and 120 IUs) or its vehicle (0.09% saline) twice a day for 5 consecutive days. The first dose was given IV 15‐min before drinking sessions and a second dose was given 3 hours later. To date, four baboons (N=4) have completed OT treatments. Results Analysis of alcohol consumption (g/kg) over the course of the 5‐day treatment period was performed using a mixed effects model, with OT dose and day as repeated measures. This analysis revealed that subchronic administration of OT produced a modest reduction in total g/kg alcohol consumed over the course of the 5‐day subchronic treatment regimen (p<0.05). Conclusion OT may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. Future studies will evaluate OT effects on nicotine and alcohol co‐administration in this nonhuman primate model.