Influence of brain catalase on ethanol-induced loss of righting reflex in mice

The effect of lead acetate and 3-amino-1, 2, 4-triazole (AT) on ethanol-ind uced loss of righting reflex (LORR) and brain catalase activity was studied in an attempt to confirm earlier observations on the involvement of catala se in ethanol-induced effects. Lead acetate (0 or 100 mg/kg) or AT (0 or 50 0 mg/kg) was injected (acutely) into mice 7 days or 5 h before testing. Oth er mice were exposed to drinking fluid containing 500 ppm lead acetate for 60 days. On the test day, mice received an intraperitoneal injection of eth anol (4.0 or 4.5 g/kg) and the duration of LORR was recorded. Acute lead-tr eated animals demonstrated a reduction in the duration of the LORR, However , both chronic administration of lead acetate and AT treatment increased th e duration of ethanol-produced LORR. Furthermore, brain catalase activity i n acute lead pretreated animals showed a significant induction, whereas it was reduced in chronic lead and AT treated mice. These results suggest that brain catalase activity, and by implication centrally formed acetaldehyde, may modulate ethanol-induced LORR. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.