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Morphine induced changes in ethanol-and water-intake are attenuated by the 5-HT3/4 antagonist tropisetron (ICS 205-930)

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Abstract

The opiate agonist morphine has been shown to increase ethanol intake and mesolimbic dopamine (DA) levels. Conversely, the 5-HT3/4 antagonist tropisetron has been shown to decrease ethanol intake and morphine-induced increases in mesolimbic DA levels. This study was designed to test the effects of acutely administered tropisetron on morphine-induced changes in ethanol (6% v/v) and water intake in a two-bottle test procedure. Ten water restricted male rats were injected with combinations of morphine (0.0, 0.56, 1.0, 1.5, 10.0, and 17.0 mg/kg, SC) and tropisetron (0.0, 1.0, 10.0, and 17.0 mg/kg, SC) prior to test sessions. Morphine (1.0 and 1.5 mg/kg) significantly increased absolute (g/kg) and relative ethanol intake (ethanol/total fluid). Tropisetron alone did not affect ethanol or water intake. When tropisetron (10.0 and 17.0 mg/kg) was administered in combination with morphine (1.5 mg/kg), the increase in ethanol intake induced by morphine was attenuated. Tropisetron (1.0 mg/kg) reversed a decrease in ethanol intake induced by morphine (17.0 mg/kg). The two highest doses of tropisetron partially attenuated a significant decrease in water intake produced by morphine (17.0 mg/kg). These data suggest that opiate and 5-HT3 mechanisms could interact in the regulation of ethanol intake. However, the doses of tropisetron tested were high and, therefore, the potential involvement of 5-HT4 receptors or other neurotransmitter systems in regulating ethanol intake is discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University, The Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., 27157, Winston-Salem, N.C.

    C. W. Hodge, J. S. Niehus & H. H. Samson

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  1. C. W. Hodge
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  2. J. S. Niehus
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  3. H. H. Samson
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Hodge, C.W., Niehus, J.S. & Samson, H.H. Morphine induced changes in ethanol-and water-intake are attenuated by the 5-HT3/4 antagonist tropisetron (ICS 205-930). Psychopharmacology 119, 186–192 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02246160

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02246160

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