The Kv7 potassium channel activator retigabine decreases alcohol consumption in rats. (May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Knapp, Clifford M.; O'Malley, Matthew; Datta, Subimal; Ciraulo, Domenic A.
• Is Part Of: American journal of drug and alcohol abuse. Volume 40:Number 3(2014:May)
• Page Start: 244
• Page End: 250
• Publication Date: 2014-05
• Subjects: Drug abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Substance-abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Substance-Related Disorders -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2014.892951
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0095-2990

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Background</italic>: Activation of Kv7 potassium channels may decrease the reactivity of mesolimbic dopaminergic neurons that are implicated in mediating the reinforcing effects of ethanol. <italic>Objectives</italic>: The objective of this study was to determine whether the administration of the Kv7 potassium channel opener retigabine would decrease ethanol intake in Long Evans rats. <italic>Methods</italic>: A limited access two-bottle choice model of alcohol (10% solution) consumption was used in this study. A separate group of animals was tested to evaluate the actions of retigabine on sucrose (5% solution) consumption to determine whether this drug might produce non-selective impairment of the ability of rats to drink liquids. Animals were treated with either vehicle or increasing doses (2.5–7.5 mg/kg SC) of retigabine administered over a 3-day period. <italic>Results</italic>: Compared to vehicle, retigabine at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg produced a reduction in the amount of ethanol consumed. These effects did not occur in association with significant changes in water consumption. A significant time effect was found for the actions of retigabine in sucrose-drinking rats with a trend for an increase in sucrose intake with the highest dose of retigabine administered. <italic>Conclusions</italic>: These results indicate that the administration of retigabine may produce a decrease in ethanol consumption by rats at doses that do not significantly reduce the drinking of either water or a sucrose solution. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that activation of Kv7 channels facilitates the reduction of alcohol consumption in the rat.</p> </abstract>