T. Kaneyuki et al., NEUROTRANSMITTER INTERACTIONS IN THE STRIATUM AND HYPOTHALAMUS OF MICE AFTER SINGLE AND REPEATED ETHANOL TREATMENT, Acta medica Okayama, 49(1), 1995, pp. 13-17
In single treatment study, ethanol was administered intraperitoneally
to ICR mice (about 34 g) in the amounts of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 or 4.0 g/kg b
ody weight. The 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) + homovanillic
acid (HVA) concentration in the striatum was elevated with 3.0 and 4.0
g/kg of ethanol. In the hypothalamus, the DOPAC, HVA and 5-hydroxyind
oleacetic acid concentrations were increased after injection of 3.0 an
d 4.0 g/kg of ethanol. Furthermore, the acetylcholine (ACh) and gamma-
aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations were also increased following
the injection of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 g/ kg. To study the effects of
repeated administration, mice were injected intraperitoneally with 1.0
or 2.0 g/kg of ethanol once daily for 7 days. The DOPAC + HVA level i
n the striatum was elevated after injection of 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg of eth
anol. The GABA and ACh concentrations in the hypothalamus were decreas
ed after repeated injections of ethanol. These results suggest that et
hanol significantly alters the utilization of dopamine, ACh and GABA i
n the hypothalamus. This may partially explain why ethanol has such pr
ofound effects on emotional behavior and mood.