Behavioral interactions of ethanol and methylxanthines.

Abstract

The effect of the methylxanthines caffeine, theophylline and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) on ethanol-induced ataxia and loss of righting reflex was investigated in three strains of mice. A significant potentiation of ethanol-induced ataxia was produced in all strains of mice at 20, 45 and 75 min after ethanol in mice pretreated with 62.5 mg/kg caffeine and 12.5 mg/kg IBMX. In mice pretreated with 40 mg/kg caffeine potentiation of ethanol-induced ataxia was observed only at 20 min after ethanol. Theophylline pretreatment produced no alteration in ethanol-induced ataxia. The results of methylxanthine pretreatment on ethanol-induced ataxia were similar, regardless of a shorter (10 min) or longer (75 min) pretreatment time. The methylxanthines produced no effect on motor coordination or behavior when administered separately. Although ethanol-induced loss of righting reflex was shortened by theophylline, neither caffeine nor IBMX altered the duration of loss of righting reflex. It is possible that inhibition of adenosine uptake, a known effect of the methylxanthines, may be a more likely explanation for the modulation of the behavioral effects of ethanol.

• Authors: M S Dar, M Jones, G Close, S J Mustafa, W R Wooles
• Journal: Psychopharmacology (Psychopharmacology (Berl)) Vol. 91 Issue 1 Pg. 1-4 ( 1987) ISSN: 0033-3158 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 2434967 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Xanthines
• Caffeine
• Ethanol
• Theophylline
• 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine

Topics

• 1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine (administration & dosage)
• Animals
• Caffeine (administration & dosage)
• Drug Interactions
• Ethanol (administration & dosage)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Mice, Inbred ICR
• Posture
• Psychomotor Performance (drug effects)
• Reflex (drug effects)
• Theophylline (administration & dosage)
• Xanthines (administration & dosage)