Abstract
Previous researchers demonstrate an opioidergic involvement in the anxiolytic and rewarding actions of ethanol and diazepam. Therefore, to further characterize the role of the opioid system in the anxiolytic action of ethanol and diazepam, normal (C57BL/6J), hybrid (B6129F1) and μ-opioid receptor knockout mice were given i.p. ethanol (0, 1.0 or 1.6 g/kg) or diazepam (1.5 mg/kg). The anxiolytic properties of these agents were then tested in the elevated plus-maze. Additional ethanol-treated μ-opioid receptor knockout mice (1 g/kg) were pretreated with the κ-opioid receptor antagonist nor-BNI (0 or 3 mg/kg) to assess the involvement of κ-opioid activity in ethanol’s anxiolytic actions. The anxiolytic action of ethanol and diazepam in the μ-opioid receptor knockout mouse did not differ from the effects obtained in normal mice and pretreatment with nor-BNI did not significantly attenuate ethanol’s actions in μ-opioid receptor knockout mice. Thus, the anxiolytic actions of ethanol and diazepam appear to be independent of opioid system activity in the μ-opioid receptor knockout mouse.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
