Abstract
Some of the multiple biological effects of stress include activation of a variety of neuroendocrine systems, resulting in enhanced secretion of many hormones, including corticosterone, as well as facilitation of drug-seeking behavior. Therefore, we have examined the potential relationship between voluntary alcohol consumption (VAC) and corticosterone output profile using: (1) selectively bred alcohol-preferring (P) and nonpreferring (NP) rats; and (2) outbred male Holtzman Sprague-Dawley rats selected for (a) low basal corticosterone (< 2 μg/mg Cr) and high stimulation (> 250%) (L-H rats), and (b) high basal corticosterone (> 4 μg/mg Cr) and low stimulation of corticosterone output on 24-hour fasting stress (< 125%) (H-L rats). The results of this study show: (a) the corticosterone output profiles of P and NP rats were similar to those of H-L and L-H rats, respectively; and (b) the H-L rats exhibited significantly higher VAC than the L-H rats. In conclusion, these data suggest that basal hypercorticosteronemia associated with attenuated rise in corticosterone output during stress may be associated with increased VAC.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 59-63 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Alcohol |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1995 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Alcohol preference
- Corticosterone
- HPA-Axis
- Hypercorticosteronemia
- Stress
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
- Neurology
- Behavioral Neuroscience