Abstract
Our aim is to investigate the effects of two atypical antipsychotics; quetiapine and olanzapine on locomotor activity that is a sign of ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats. Adult male Wistar rats were subjects. Ethanol (7.2%, v/v) was given to rats by a liquid diet for 30 days. Control rats were pair fed an isocaloric liquid diet containing sucrose as a caloric substitute to ethanol. Quetiapine (10 mg/kg), olanzapine (5 mg/kg) and saline were injected to the rats intraperitoneally 7 days after ethanol withdrawal syndrome and the last one 30 min before ethanol withdrawal testing. After 2nd hour of ethanol withdrawal, rats were observed for 5 min and withdrawal signs that included locomotor hyperactivity were recorded. We have found increased vertical and horizontal locomotor activity in ethanol withdrawal group to control and reduced vertical and horizontal locomotor activity in quetiapine-injected rats. In olanzapine injected rats were seen no reduced locomotor activity. Significant inhibitory effects were produced by quetiapine on the signs of ethanol withdrawal. Our results suggest that acute quetiapine treatment has some beneficial efects on ethanol withdrawal in rats. Thus, this drug may be useful for treatment of ethanol withdrawal syndrome.
Highlights
Excess alcohol usage is described the greatest drug addiction in the world
Ethanol withdrawal syndrome (EWS) findings in human [2] and rats [3,4] are described in detail but the mechanisms underlined of physical dependence to ethanol have not understood completely
The main objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of quetiapine and olanzapine on the locomotor activity, which is a sign of ethanol withdrawal syndrome in rats
Summary
Ethanol withdrawal syndrome (EWS) could occur after the cut-off chronic alcohol intake shows physical alcohol dependence [1]. EWS findings in human [2] and rats [3,4] are described in detail but the mechanisms underlined of physical dependence to ethanol have not understood completely. Open field locomotor activity is defined to evaluate the effects of ethanol and the other drugs [5]. Studies showed that effects of ethanol were excitatory or depressive [6]. The symptoms of ethanol withdrawal syndrome have been described in experimental studies [7] and human [8]. The mechanism of physical dependence has not been enlightened decisively, novel drugs for treatment of alcoholic dependence have been sought
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