Alcohol drinking and deprivation alter basal extracellular glutamate concentrations and clearance in the mesolimbic system of alcohol-preferring (P) rats.

摘要: The present study determined the effects of voluntary ethanol drinking and deprivation on basal extracellular glutamate concentrations clearance in mesolimbic system tested hypothesis that chronic would persistently increase neurotransmission. Three groups alcohol-preferring (P) rats were used: ‘water group (WG),’ ‘ethanol maintenance (MG; 24-hour free choice water versus 15% ethanol)’ (DG; 2 weeks deprivation).’ Quantitative microdialysis Western blots conducted to measure concentrations, proteins associated with clearance. Chronic alcohol produced a 70–100% posterior ventral tegmental area (4.0 7.0 μM) nucleus accumbens shell (3.0 6.0 μM). Glutamate clearances reduced by 30–40% both regions MG compared WG rats. In addition, revealed 40–45% decrease excitatory amino transporter 1 (EAAT1) protein, but no significant changes levels EAAT2 or cystine-glutamate antiporter these enhanced returned control levels, accompanied recovery following deprivation. These results indicated system, as result, part, clearance, suggesting neurotransmission may contribute drinking. However, because increased normal after deprivation, elevated not initiation relapse