Cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR141716A decreases operant ethanol self administration in rats exposed to ethanol-vapor chambers

AIM: To study the potential role of dependence status on CB1-mediated block ade of ethanol self-administration. METHODS: We examined the effects of the cannabinoid antagonist SR141716A (0, 0.03, 0.3, and 3 mg/kg) on operant et hanol (10 % v/v) self-administration in male Wistar rats that were made eth anol-dependent by chronic (14 d) exposure to ethanol vapor-chambers or expo sed to air in identical vapor chambers. RESULTS: Dependent animals responde d more for ethanol than did stir control nondependent rats. The acute admin istration bf a 3 mg/kg dose of SR141716A almost suppressed ethanol self-adm inistration only in ethanol dependent animals. However, operant responses f or food were not affected by the administration of SR141716A. CONCLUSION: T hese results further support that cannabinoid CB1 receptor blockade may hav e a potential utility for the treatment of alcoholism.