EFFECT OF CAPTOPRIL ON VOLUNTARY CONSUMPTION OF ETHANOL, WATER AND SOLID FOOD BY UCHA AND UCHB RATS

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) have been reported to reduce ethanol consumption in rats, but it is unclear whether this eff ect is specific for ethanol or secondary to effects on appetite or sat iation for calories or water. In the present study we assessed the eff ect of captopril, an ACEI, on the voluntary consumption of 10% ethanol solution, water and solid food in our strain of rats genetically sele cted for their voluntary consumption of ethanol, namely UChA (low cons umer) and UChB (high consumer). Captopril (30 mg/kg) was injected intr aperitoneally for 3 consecutive days to UChA and UChB rats and ethanol , water and food intake were measured before, during and after captopr il treatment; these results were compared with those produced by a con trol saline solution. Results showed that captopril produced a signifi cant reduction of alcohol voluntary consumption in UChB but not in UCh A rats. However, this effect was not specific for ethanol since captop ril also induced a significant decrease in food intake leading to a lo ss of weight in both rat strains, suggesting that it seems to be secon dary to changes in appetite for calories.