Contents of ACTH and CRF in the rat blood serum after administration of orexin A antagonists in experimental alcoholization

In recent years, the role of ghrelin and orexin systems in the formation of alcoholic addiction has been demonstrated. The aim of the present investigation was to compare quantitatively the CRF and ACTH blood concentrations in the forced and chronic models of alcoholization, as well as the assessment of pharmacological action of synthetic and recombinant antagonists of orexin A on the system CRF-ACTH after experimental alcohol abuse. 89 adult male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g Wistar were used in the experiment. All experimental animals were divided into 10 groups: intact, with chronic and forced alcoholization, with intranasal administration of orexin A antagonists on alcoholization process and agter its withdrawal. The chronic (during 6 months) and forced (5 days by means of elevating doses up to maximal ones) alcoholization slightly increased ACTH and CRF levels in the blood serum. The withdrawal of ethanol decreased the hormones level. Intranasal administration of orexin A antagonists (both synthetic and recombinant) slightly decreased the ACTH and CRF concentrations in the blood, in more degree after the forced alcoholization. In general, the systemic action of orexin A antagonists on the central stress mechanisms were expressed in little degree. The significant disorders in the ACTH-CRF system were not registered also, both after different regimens of alcoholizations and after intranasal administrations of orexin A antagonists.

alcoholization, different regimens, ACTH, CRF, orexin antagonists, neuropeptides