Nicotine interactions with ethanol tolerance

Abstract

Nicotine (N) administration (0.05 mg/kg SC) was paired with ethanol (E, 2.5 g/kg, 15% v/v, IP) to determine if N alters either the acquisition of extinction of tolerance to the hypothermic and sedative effects of E. During tolerance acquisition the following groups were tested: E + N (N = 16), E + NaCl vehicle (V) (N = 16), V + N (N = 4) and V + V (N = 4). For 11 days a colonic temperature was taken, both drugs were injected and the rats were tested for locomotor activity for 45 min, after which a final colonic temperature was taken. N significantly enhanced the rate of tolerance development to the hypothermic effects of E and blocked a degree of the sedative effects. On Days 12 to 17 rats in all groups received V injections to extinguish tolerance. On Days 18 to 24 rats in the E + N group were tested with either E + N or E + V and rats in the E + V group were similarly divided. Previous treatment with N significantly attenuated the extinction process which in turn enhanced the reacquisition of tolerance.