Benzodiazepine receptor antagonists modulate the actions of ethanol in alcohol-preferring and -nonpreferring rats.

The pyrazoloquinoline CGS 8216 (2-phenylpyrazolo-[4,3-c]-quinolin-3 (5H)-one, 0.05-2 mg/kg) and the beta-carboline ZK 93426 (ethyl-5-isopropyl-4-methyl-beta-carboline-3-carboxylate, 1-10 mg/kg) benzodiazepine receptor antagonists were evaluated for their capacity to modulate the behavioral actions of ethanol in alcohol preferring and -nonpreferring rats. When alcohol-preferring rats were presented with a two-bottle choice test between ethanol (10% v/v) and a saccharin (0.0125% g/v) solution, both antagonists dose-dependently reduced intake of ethanol by 35-92% of control levels on day 1 at the initial 15 min interval of the 4 h limited access. Saccharin drinking was suppressed only with the highest doses. CGS 8216 (0.25 mg/kg) and ZK 93426 (4 mg/kg) unmasked the anxiolytic effects of a hypnotic ethanol dose (1.5 g/kg ethanol) on the plus maze test in alcohol-preferring rats, but potentiated the ethanol-induced suppression in alcohol-nonpreferring rats. CGS 8216 (0.25 mg/kg) and ZK 93426 (4 mg/kg) attenuated the ethanol (0.5 and 1.5 g/kg)-induced suppression in the open field in alcohol-nonpreferring rats; however, CGS 8216 potentiated the depressant effects of the lower ethanol dose (0.5 g/kg) in alcohol-preferring rats. These findings provide evidence that benzodiazepine receptor antagonists may differentially modulate the behavioral actions of ethanol in alcohol-preferring and-nonpreferring rats. It is possible that the qualitative pharmacodynamic differences seen in the present study may be related to selective breeding for alcohol preference. The findings indicate the potential for development of receptor specific ligands devoid of toxic effects which may be useful in the treatment of alcohol abuse and alcoholism.