Catecholamines are involved in the mechanism of the urinary alcohol level cycle in rats fed ethanol intragastrically at a constant rate.

Studies have indicated that blood alcohol levels cycle exists when ethanol is fed continuously using the intragastric feeding rat model of early alcoholic liver disease. The aim of the present study was to determine the role played by catecholamines in the pathogenesis of the blood alcohol cycling observed when ethanol is fed at a constant rate. The rats were tested at the peaks and troughs of the urinary alcohol level (UAL) cycle and the results were compared with controls. Blood catecholamine levels were markedly increased at the peaks, but not at the troughs. Propranolol, a beta adrenergic blocker, attenuated the amplitude of the cycle. Phenoxybenzamine, an alpha blocker disrupted the cycle and elevated ethanol to fatal levels. The results indicate that both alpha and beta adrenergic mechanisms are required for the cycle to occur.