Evaluation for the withdrawal syndrome from gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) in different rat lines.

Abstract

A severe and life-threatening gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) withdrawal syndrome, clinically similar to the alcohol withdrawal syndrome, is increasingly being reported in GHB addicts. We investigated for the occurrence of withdrawal in Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats, and in the selectively bred lines of GHB-sensitive (GHB-S) and Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats, following chronic administration of GHB, gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), and/or 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD). Using validated rodent alcohol withdrawal scoring scales, little to no spontaneous or pharmacologically precipitated withdrawal effects were observed in Wistar, Sprague-Dawley, or GHB-S rats. Conversely, sP rats displayed both spontaneous and precipitated audiogenic seizures following abrupt cessation of chronic GHB or 1,4-BD administration and following pharmacological challenge with the GABA(B) receptor-selective antagonist, SCH 50911, respectively.

• Authors: Lawrence S Quang, Giancarlo Colombo, Carla Lobina, Paola Maccioni, Alessandro Orru, Gian Luigi Gessa, Timothy J Maher, Mauro A M Carai
• Journal: Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (Ann N Y Acad Sci) Vol. 1074 Pg. 545-58 (Aug 2006) ISSN: 0077-8923 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17105952 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Butylene Glycols
• Hydroxybutyrates
• 4-hydroxybutyric acid
• 4-Butyrolactone

Topics

• 4-Butyrolactone (adverse effects)
• Animals
• Behavior, Animal
• Butylene Glycols (adverse effects)
• Female
• Hydroxybutyrates (adverse effects)
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Rats, Wistar
• Seizures (etiology)
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (drug therapy)