The progesterone metabolite 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one (3 alpha
,5 alpha-P or allopregnanolone) is a potent positive modulator of gamma-ami
nobutyric acid(A) (GABA(A)) receptors. Although it is well documented that
chronic ethanol (EtOH) administration produces cross-tolerance to the posit
ive modulatory effect of benzodiazepines and GABA at GABAA receptors, recen
t findings suggest that sensitivity to 3 alpha, 5 alpha-P is enhanced durin
g EtOH withdrawal. In addition, EtOH-naive inbred strains of mice, which di
ffer in EtOH withdrawal severity (DBA/2 >> C57BL/6), had marked differences
in behavioral sensitivity to 3 alpha,5 alpha-P. Therefore, the present stu
dy was conducted to determine whether C57BL/6 (B6) and DBA/2 (D2) mice woul
d be differentially sensitive to several of the pharmacological effects of
3 alpha,5 alpha-P during EtOH withdrawal. Male mice were exposed to EtOH va
por or air for 72 h. During withdrawal from EtOH, animals were injected wit
h 3 alpha,5 alpha-P (0, 3.2, 10, or 17 mg/kg i.p.) and tested for activity
and anxiolysis on the elevated plus maze, muscle relaxation, ataxia, and se
izure protection following pentylenetetrazol. Sensitivity to the anticonvul
sant effect of 3 alpha,5 alpha-P was enhanced during EtOH withdrawal in B6,
but not D2 mice. In contrast, sensitivity to the muscle relaxant effects o
f 3 alpha,5 alpha-P was reduced in EtOH-withdrawing B6 and D2 mice, with a
suggestion of decreased sensitivity to the anxiolytic effect of 3 alpha,5 a
lpha-P during EtOH withdrawal in B6. These results suggest that sensitizati
on to the anticonvulsant effect of 3 alpha,5 alpha-P during EtOH withdrawal
does not generalize across all genotypes nor does it generalize to all of
the pharmacological effects of 3 alpha, 5 alpha-P.