Lack of alteration in regional brain adenosine-3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate levels after acute and chronic treatment with ethanol

Abstract

Previously reported studies have suggested that acute and chronic treatment with ethanol induces alterations in adenosine-3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate (c-AMP) levels in the brain. Because the methods used in those studies to minimize postmortem accumulation of c-AMP are now considered to be inadequate, the effects of ethanol were reinvestigated using focused microwave irradiation to prevent postmortem c-AMP accumulation. These studies were extended to include measurements in seven areas of the rat brain after acute administration of ethanol and in animals rendered ethanol-dependent. Three treatment groups were examined: acutely treated while intoxicated (6 g/kg, p.o.), ethanol-dependent while intoxicated, and ethanol-dependent while undergoing a withdrawal syndrome. No changes in c-AMP levels were observed in any of the brain areas studied after any of the ethanol treatments. The data suggest that changes in c-AMP levels in the brain do not play any role in the acute and chronic effects of ethanol.