Role of noradrenergic neurons in ethanol-induced elevation of free fatty acids and corticosterone.

The effects of ethanol (2 or 3 g/kg) on plasma corticosterone and free fatty acids were examined in rats with bilateral electrolytic lesions of locus coeruleus or pretreated with the noradrenergic neurotoxin DSP 4 (50 mg/kg). Both lesions and DSP 4 significantly attenuated ethanol induced elevation of free fatty acids. No changes in basal levels of free fatty acids or corticosterone were observed nor did either treatment alter the elevating effect of ethanol on corticosterone. The results indicate that ethanol alters plasma free fatty acids through mechanisms involving noradrenergic neurons in the central nervous system.