Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the beta-endorphin (beta-endorphin) plasma level in Warsaw Low Preferring (WLP) and Warsaw high-preferring (WHP) rats after repeated administration of acamprosate, one of most effective drug in the treatment of alcoholism. Treatment with acamprosate in dose 200mg/kg, p.o. for 10 days induced an increase in plasma beta-endorphin levels. A single injection of ethanol also results in the increase of beta-endorphin level. Moreover, it was found that single injection of ethanol to WHP rats resulted in lower increase of plasma beta-endorphin content in rats earlier treated with acamprosate. In WLP rats, repeated acamprosate treatment prevents the ethanol-induced increase in plasma beta-endorphin level. It may be concluded that acamprosate modulates the endogenous opioid system.
MeSH terms
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Acamprosate
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Alcohol Deterrents / administration & dosage
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Alcohol Deterrents / therapeutic use
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Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Nervous System / blood
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Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Nervous System / drug therapy*
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Alcohol-Induced Disorders, Nervous System / physiopathology
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Alcoholism / blood
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Alcoholism / drug therapy*
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Alcoholism / physiopathology
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Animals
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Brain / drug effects*
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Brain / metabolism
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Brain / physiopathology
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Disease Models, Animal
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Drug Administration Schedule
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Drug Interactions / physiology
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Ethanol / antagonists & inhibitors
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Female
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Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
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Opioid Peptides / drug effects
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Opioid Peptides / metabolism
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Rats
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Taurine / administration & dosage
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Taurine / analogs & derivatives*
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Taurine / therapeutic use
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Treatment Outcome
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Up-Regulation / drug effects
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Up-Regulation / physiology
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beta-Endorphin / blood*
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beta-Endorphin / drug effects*
Substances
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Alcohol Deterrents
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Opioid Peptides
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Taurine
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Ethanol
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beta-Endorphin
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Acamprosate