Abstract
Many epidemiological studies report that alcoholics overwhelmingly smoke tobacco and vice versa, which suggests a possible functional interaction between ethanol and nicotine. Although nicotine-ethanol interaction is well documented within the central nervous system, the mechanism is not well understood. Therefore, it is important from a public health standpoint to understand the mechanisms involved in nicotine and ethanol functional interaction. The intracerebellar (ICB) administration of nicotine significantly attenuates ethanol ataxia through nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) α(4)β(2) subtype. This study, an extension of earlier work, was intended to investigate the possible role of nAChR subtype α(7) in mitigating ethanol ataxia. The effect of ICB injection of PNU-282987 (α(7) agonist; 25 ng to 2.5 μg) and the antagonist methyllycaconitine was evaluated on ethanol (2 g/kg; i.p.)-induced ataxia with a Rotorod. Cerebellar nitric oxide was determined fluorometrically in the presence of ethanol and/or PNU-282987. Attenuation of ethanol-induced ataxia following PNU-282987 microinfusion was dose-dependent suggesting the participation of α(7) subtype in nicotine and ethanol interaction. Intracerebellar pretreatment with methyllycaconitine (α(7) -selective antagonist; 6 ng) virtually abolished the attenuating effect of PNU-282987 as well as the effect of nicotine, but not of RJR-2403 (α(4)β(2) -selective agonist; 125 ng) on ethanol-induced ataxia. Finally, ethanol administration significantly decreased cerebellar NO(x), whereas ICB PNU-282987 significantly increased and/or opposed ethanol-induced decrease in NO(x). These results were functionally in agreement with our Rotorod data. These observations confirmed the following: (i) α(7) participation in nicotine-ethanol interaction and (ii) α(7) selectivity of methyllycaconitine. Overall, the results demonstrate the role of cerebellar nAChR α(7) subtype in nicotine-induced attenuation of ethanol-induced ataxia in cerebellar NO(x)-sensitive manner.
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.
