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) α4β2 subtype.
This study, an extension of earlier work, was intended to investigate the possible role of nAChR subtype α7 in mitigating ethanol ataxia.
This study, an extension of earlier work, was intended to investigate the possible role of nAChR subtype α7 in mitigating ethanol ataxia.
The effect of ICB injection of PNU-282987 (α7 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 α77-selective antagonist; 6 ng) virtually abolished the attenuating effect of PNU-282987 as well as the effect of nicotine, but not of RJR-2403 (α4β2-selective agonist; 125 ng) on ethanol-induced ataxia. Finally, ethanol administration significantly decreased cerebellar NOx, whereas ICB PNU-282987 significantly increased and/or opposed ethanol-induced decrease in NOx. These results were functionally in agreement with our Rotorod data.
induced ataxia following PNU-282987 microinfusion was dose-dependent suggesting the participation of α77-selective antagonist; 6 ng) virtually abolished the attenuating effect of PNU-282987 as well as the effect of nicotine, but not of RJR-2403 (α4β2-selective agonist; 125 ng) on ethanol-induced ataxia. Finally, ethanol administration significantly decreased cerebellar NOx, whereas ICB PNU-282987 significantly increased and/or opposed ethanol-induced decrease in NOx. These results were functionally in agreement with our Rotorod data.
These observations confirmed the following: (i) α7 participation in nicotine–ethanol interaction and (ii) α7 selectivity of methyllycaconitine.
Overall, the results demonstrate the role of cerebellar nAChR α7 subtype in nicotine-induced attenuation of ethanol-induced ataxia in cerebellar NOx-sensitive manner.
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Overall, the results demonstrate the role of cerebellar nAChR α7 subtype in nicotine-induced attenuation of ethanol-induced ataxia in cerebellar NOx-sensitive manner.
Read Full Abstract
Request Reprint E-Mail: darm@ecu.edu
