Molecular targets of the ethanol and original anticonvulsant in the treatment of alcohol dependence

Abstract

Objective

Chronic exposure to alcohol causes neuroadaptive changes in the brain, which leads to the recurrence of the disease. Promising in this area is to find new safe and effective pharmacological agents acting on molecular targets of influence of alcohol in the CNS.

Methods

Experiments were performed on male rats Wistar and male mice (CBAxC57Bl/6)F1.U. Experimental animals were formed alcohol dependence, based on long-term use of alcohol solution. Animals in a state of alcohol dependence were injected original anticonvulsant meta-chloro-benzhydryl-urea. We evaluated parameters orienting-exploratory behavior and emotional reactivity of the animals in the test “open field”, the cellular and humoral immune response. Properties of benzodiazepine receptors of the brain examined radioreceptor method using selective ligands [³H]flunitrazepam and [³H]Ro5-4864.

Results

Chronic exposure to ethanol resulted in a significant change in the parameters of the experimental animal behavior and emotional reactivity in the test “open field”, observed suppression of immune response (∼40%), and increase in the number of receptors on 54.8–59.4% associated with reduced receptor affinity. Administration of meta-chloro-benzhydryl-urea led to the abandonment of the use of ethanol, recorded a correction of the above immunological and behavioral disorders due to alcohol intoxication. Properties of benzodiazepine receptors in the brain of experimental animals receiving the drug at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 14 days, indicators affinity and receptor density were close to the values in the control group.

Conclusions

Anticonvulsant has a modulating effect on the functional activity of the nervous and immune systems, reduces compulsive craving for alcohol.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.