Effect of nicotinic acid on the sleep time and tolerance induced by ethanol in the rat
The intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration (50 mg/kg) of nicotinic acid (NA), markedly decreased the sleep time of rats pretreated (10 min before), post-treated (10 min after) or simultaneously treated with ethanol (4 g/Kg i.p.). A similar effect was observed on the sleep time induced by pentobarbital (37 mg/Kg i.p.). Blood alcohol levels (BAL) were the same or slightly higher in the animals pretreated with NA than in the control animals pre-injected with saline. Nicotinamide and NAD had no effect. A total of three doses of ethanol, each one administered weekly or biweekly, induced tolerance, which persisted for approximately six weeks. After this period, a hypersensitivity to ethanol appeared to develop. This phenomenon was not observed when NA was pre-injected 10 min before each dose of ethanol. The sleep time of the latter animals did not change neither during the treatment period nor after six weeks without any treatment. BAL were slightly higher in NA treated than in control animals. The authors concluded that the effect of NA on the sleep time and tolerance induced by ethanol is not due to an increased rate of its metabolism and/or elimination but to a long-lasting effect that decreases the sensitivity of the nervous cells to ethanol. The mechanisms involved in the shortening of the sleep time as well as those responsible for the loss of the capacity to develop tolerance are under current investigation.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Puerto Rico, San Juan
- OSTI ID:
- 5088892
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-8606151-
- Journal Information:
- Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States), Journal Name: Fed. Proc., Fed. Am. Soc. Exp. Biol.; (United States) Vol. 45:6; ISSN FEPRA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALCOHOLS
AMIDES
ANIMALS
AZINES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
COENZYMES
ETHANOL
HETEROCYCLIC ACIDS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INJECTION
INTAKE
INTRAPERITONEAL INJECTION
MAMMALS
METABOLISM
NAD
NICOTINAMIDE
NICOTINIC ACID
NUCLEOTIDES
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
PYRIDINES
RATS
RODENTS
SLEEP
TOLERANCE
VERTEBRATES
VITAMIN B GROUP
VITAMINS