Search results for " Acetaldehyde"

Mystic Acetaldehyde: The Never-Ending Story on Alcoholism

2017

After decades of uncertainties and drawbacks, the study on the role and significance of acetaldehyde in the effects of ethanol seemed to have found its main paths. Accordingly, the effects of acetaldehyde, after its systemic or central administration and as obtained following ethanol metabolism, looked as they were extensively characterized. However, almost 5 years after this research appeared at its highest momentum, the investigations on this topic have been revitalized on at least three main directions: (1) the role and the behavioral significance of acetaldehyde in different phases of ethanol self-administration and in voluntary ethanol consumption; (2) the distinction, in the central e…

Nuovi derivati della Dopamina nell’Addiction da sostanze d’abuso: studi preclinici su modelli sperimentali murini

Manipulation of the DA signal on the onset of relapse of ACD

2013

It's widely known that all addictive drugs show analogous pathological behaviours consisting in compulsive drug seeking,loss of self –control and propensity to relapse. This evidence is suggestive of a common brain mechanism involving the Ventral Tegmental Area and Nucleus Accumbens whereby mesocorticolimbimc dopamine pathway. Dfferent and apparently anthitetic classes of drugs of abuse manage to increase DA release, in the aforementioned areas (Di Chiara, 1988; 1995). Reductions in activity of the mesolimbic dopamine system in the nucleus accumbes occur during drug withdrawal in animal studies (Weiss F et al. 1992; 1996). Experimental evidences have proven D2 receptor involvement in drug s…

Ethanol releases corticotropic releasing hormone (CRH) from rat hypothalamic explants; role of acetaldehyde

2009

Ethanol activates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) glucocorticoid release, and a modification of the response of this axis to other stressors (Lee et al 1999, 2000). To determine the mechanisms responsible for these effects we investigated : 1) whether ethanol was able to release CRH from incubated hypothalamic explants; 2) whether acetaldehyde (ACD), its first metabolite formed in the brain by catalase activity, might play a role in ethanol effects. To this aim, rat hypothalamic explants were incubated with: 1) medium containing ethanol at 150 mg %; 2) different concentrations of ACD (4.4, 13.2, 44, 132 x 10-3 mg%); 3) ethanol plus …

Acetaldehyde and salsolinol in ethanol’s two-step mechanism of action: An overview

2018

In the last years, numerous studies have supported the idea that, at least in part, motivational and neuropharmacological effects of ethanol are mediated by its first brain-derived metabolite, acetaldehyde, and its bioderivate salsolinol. This review aims at gathering and shaping as a whole the evidence on their role in the mechanism of action of ethanol. Acetaldehyde and salsolinol interact with the reward brain system and are involved as primum movens of motivational and addictive behaviour that can be especially relevant to ethanol use disorders. Understanding the neurobiology of acetaldehyde and salsolinol holds promising potential for the development of novel pharmacological approaches…

Acetaldehyde self-administration by a two-bottle choice paradigm: Consequences on emotional reactivity, spatial learning, and memory

2015

Abstract Acetaldehyde, the first alcohol metabolite, is responsible for many pharmacological effects that are not clearly distinguishable from those exerted by its parent compound. It alters motor performance, induces reinforced learning and motivated behavior, and produces different reactions according to the route of administration and the relative accumulation in the brain or in the periphery. The effective activity of oral acetaldehyde represents an unresolved field of inquiry that deserves further investigation. Thus, this study explores the acquisition and maintenance of acetaldehyde drinking behavior in adult male rats, employing a two-bottle choice paradigm for water and acetaldehyd…

An olfactory receptor for food-derived odours promotes male courtship in Drosophila.

2011

International audience; Many animals attract mating partners through the release of volatile sex pheromones, which can convey information on the species, gender and receptivity of the sender to induce innate courtship and mating behaviours by the receiver. Male Drosophila melanogaster fruitflies display stereotyped reproductive behaviours towards females, and these behaviours are controlled by the neural circuitry expressing male-specific isoforms of the transcription factor Fruitless (FRU(M)). However, the volatile pheromone ligands, receptors and olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) that promote male courtship have not been identified in this important model organism. Here we describe a novel…

Ethanol Modulates Corticotropin Releasing Hormone Release From the Rat Hypothalamus: Does Acetaldehyde Play a Role?

2010

BACKGROUND AND METHODS Ethanol (EtOH) activates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in adrenocorticotropin hormone, glucocorticoid release, and in modifications of the response of the axis to other stressors. The initial site of EtOH action within the HPA system seems to be the hypothalamus. Thus, to determine the mechanisms responsible for these effects, we investigated: (i) whether EtOH was able to release corticotrophic releasing hormone (CRH) from incubated hypothalamic explants; (ii) whether acetaldehyde (ACD), its first metabolite formed in the brain by catalase activity, might play a role in EtOH activity. To this aim, rat hypothalamic explants were incubated with: (…

Role of acetaldehyde in alcohol addiction: current evidence and future perspectives

2011

The effects of alcohol have been widely studied during the past century, corroborating the idea that this tiny chemical compound acts throughout most of our neurotransmitter systems since it is capable of inducing addictive behaviour. Two of the most serious problems of alcohol addiction are craving and relapse; several studies have demonstrated that relapse is related to the anxious state which occurs during withdrawal, and it has been proved that this behavioural modifications results from an alteration of the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. An important role in the neurobiology of alcohol addiction is played by acetaldehyde (ACD), ethanol first metabolite. Our recent studies indee…