A MODIFIED LIQUID DIET OF CHRONIC ETHANOL ADMINISTRATION - VALIDATIONBY ETHANOL WITHDRAWAL SYNDROME IN RATS

The validity of a modified liquid diet prepared from cow's milk, 7.2% ethanol, vitamin A and sucrose mixture has been investigated for chron ic ethanol administration in rats. The rats fed by the modified liquid diet lost 3.8% of their body weight along 20 days. The mean ethanol c onsumption was in the range of 12.6 to 17.6 g kg(-1) day(-1). The bloo d ethanol level just before the withdrawal of ethanol was found to be 301.38+/-36.68 mg dl(-1) A severe ethanol withdrawal syndrome was obse rved after 20-day exposure to ethanol in the modified liquid diet. The results suggest that the modified liquid diet can be used satisfactor ily for chronic ethanol administration in rats.