Effects of moderate alcohol consumption on behavior and neural systems of Wistar rats

Abstract Chronic alcohol consumption affects various neurotransmitters, especially those implicated in the transitioning to alcohol use disorders (particularly dopaminergic and CRFergic systems). Few studies have investigated moderate alcohol consumption and its harmful consequences. The objective o...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências 2022-01, Vol.94 (3), p.e20210673-e20210673
Main Authors: CONTE, RAFAEL, ZANGIROLAME, CAROLLINE M.S., GOBBO, DENISE R., PEREIRA, LAÍS DA S., PANFILIO, CARLOS E., REGINATO, REJANE D., MALUF, LUCIANA L.S., SCERNI, DEBORA A., CÉSPEDES, ISABEL C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
alcohol
corticotrophin-releasing factor
dopamine
moderate consumption
MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract Chronic alcohol consumption affects various neurotransmitters, especially those implicated in the transitioning to alcohol use disorders (particularly dopaminergic and CRFergic systems). Few studies have investigated moderate alcohol consumption and its harmful consequences. The objective of this work was to analyze behavioral and neurochemical (dopaminergic and CRFergic systems) alterations during chronic moderate alcohol consumption. Twelve male Wistar rats were submitted to an intermittent alcohol ingestion protocol (alcohol group) for four weeks. The control group consisted of six rats. Open Field and Elevated Plus Maze tests were used for analysis of motor and anxiety-like behaviors. Immunohistochemistry analysis was performed in dopaminergic and CRFergic systems. Animals exposed to alcohol consumed moderate doses, chronic and intermittently. Behavioral tests detected fewer fecal boli in the alcohol exposed group, and immunohistochemical analysis indicated fewer dopamine-immunoreactive cells in the ventral tegmental area, and more CRF-immunoreactive cells in the anterior cingulate cortex and dorsolateral septum in this group. Thus we concluded that Wistar rats that consumed moderate doses of alcohol voluntarily and chronically showed a discreet anxiolytic effect in behavior, and a hypodopaminergic and hyperCRFergic neurochemical condition, which together are strong inducers of alcohol consumption predisposing to the development of alcohol use disorder (AUD).
ISSN:0001-3765
1678-2690
1678-2690
DOI:10.1590/0001-3765202220210673