This study tested the hypothesis that endogenous digitalis-like factor (DLF
) is involved in the development of alcohol dependence ill rats, in 33 male
Wistar rats in conditioned place preference (CPP) experimental, ethanol ev
oked increase in time spent iii the ethanol-associated compartment (702+/-8
2, in ethanol-treated vsi 426+/-86 sec in the controls). Digoxin pretreatme
nt (125 mu g/kg, i/p) did not affect the time spent in the water-associated
compartment (476+/-80 sec) but prevented the acquisition of ethanol CPP (3
85+/-112 sec in ethanol-paired side, P<0.05). in a two bottle choice test,
where rats (n=6 per group) chose between drinking water and 9% ethanol, imm
unization against two putative DLFs, marinobufagenin and ouabain (MBG and O
LC) resulted in a 60% increase of ethanol consumption. Acute intragastric a
dministration of 9% ethanol to the rats was associated with increased OLC i
n cerebrospinal fluid, and stimulated urinary excretion of MBG and OLC. Thu
s, in rats, digoxin, which mimics the effects of ULFs, suppresses the free
choice of alcohol, while immunization against DLFs is associated with alcoh
ol seeking behavior, Published by Elsevier Science Inc.