The effects of selective blockade of delta and mu opiate receptors on ethanol consumption by C57BL/6 mice in a restricted access paradigm.

The effects of naltrexone, naltrindole (a selective delta opiate receptor antagonist) and beta-funaltrexamine (beta-FNA; a selective mu opiate receptor antagonist) on alcohol intake by C57BL/6 mice in a restricted access paradigm were examined. During the pretreatment baseline phase, mice consumed an average of 1.3 g/kg during 1 h access sessions to a 12% alcohol solution. Treatment with naltrexone reduced alcohol consumption to about 50% of that of the saline controls. Treatment with beta-FNA had no effect on alcohol consumption whereas naltrindole reduced consumption to the same extent as that observed with naltrexone. The pattern of findings indicate that naltrexone's ability to reduce alcohol consumption can be attributed to blockade of delta opiate receptors. Implications for treatment in human clinical trials are indicated.