The Effect Of A Beta Adrenergic Agonist, Isoproterenol, And An Anticholinesterase, Eserine, On Ethanol-Induced Intoxicatione In The Rat

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the effects of eserine and isoproterenol on ethanol-induced intoxication in the rat. The cortical EEG (recording from the frontal and occipital lobes), four behavioral tests, and a coordination test were used as indicators of intoxication. Eserine (0.2 mg/kg) blocked the ethanol-induced deactivation of the EEG, but the animals remained behaviorally intoxicated. Isoproterenol (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 mg/kg) caused a decrease in the ethanol deactivation and behaviorally blocked intoxication. Isoproterenol by itself deactivates the EEG. Propranolol (10 mg/kg), a Beta blocker, potentiated the effect of ethanol, both by an increase in deactivation and an increase in the intoxication state. It was concluded that isoproterenol antagonizes the action of ethanol.