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Nitric Oxide‐Related Agents Alter Alcohol Withdrawal in Male Rats
Author(s) -
Adams Michael L,
Sewing Bryan N.,
Chen Jingling,
Meyer Edward R.,
Cicero Theodore J.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1995.tb01492.x
Subject(s) - alcohol , nitric oxide , isosorbide dinitrate , nitric oxide synthase , abstinence syndrome , medicine , abstinence , endocrinology , alcohol dependence , anesthesia , psychology , pharmacology , morphine , chemistry , psychiatry , biochemistry
Evidence has been reported supporting the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) partially mediates the expression of morphine dependence. To examine whether NO‐related agents also affect the expression of alcohol dependence, adult male rats were treated chronically with alcohol. Upon withdrawal of alcohol administration, abstinence signs were observed after treatment with a NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, N G ‐nitro‐ l ‐arginine methyl ester (NAME), or a NO donor, isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN). Withdrawal severity was based primarily on the presence and intensity of tremors, rigidity, hyperactivity, and spontaneous and audiogenic convulsions. The NOS inhibitor, NAME (10–100 mg/kg), injected during alcohol withdrawal significantly inhibited withdrawal severity decreasing the intensity of signs of hyperactivity, tremors, and rigidity, but not affecting the occurrence of convulsions. The NO donor, ISDN (30 mg/kg), administered during alcohol withdrawal significantly increased the severity of most withdrawal signs. These results suggest that NO mediates some aspects of the expression of alcohol dependence.