Vol. 277, Issue 1, R162-R172, July 1999
Intracerebroventricular infusion of angiotensin II increases
water and ethanol intake in rats
R. S.
Weisinger,
J. R.
Blair-West,
P.
Burns, and
D. A.
Denton
Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiology and Medicine,
University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
The
influence of prolonged ingestion of ethanol on stimulation of water or
ethanol intake by intracerebroventricular infusion of ANG II was
evaluated in rats. Animals were maintained for 5-6 mo with either
10% ethanol solution or water as their only source of fluid. In both
groups of rats, infusion of ANG II caused a large increase in water
intake (7-fold) and a lesser increase in 10% ethanol intake (2-fold).
The effect of ANG II on the volume of ethanol solution ingested,
however, was inversely related to the concentration of the ethanol
solution. As the concentration of ethanol solution was decreased,
frequency and duration of drinking bouts increased. The intake of
sweetened 10% ethanol solution or commercially produced wine during
infusion of ANG II was similar to the intake of 10% ethanol and not
related to taste preference. In conclusion, chronic consumption of
ethanol solution did not appear to adversely effect ANG II stimulation
of water intake. The intake of ethanol solution during infusion of ANG
II was inhibited by a direct effect of ingested ethanol and/or by
indirect effect from metabolized ethanol.
alcohol drinking; drinking behavior; prolonged alcohol
intake
