RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF TOLERANCE TO THE HYPOTHERMIC EFFECT OF ETHANOL IN MICE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 208  (1) , 128-133
Abstract
The hypothermic responses to i.p. injection of ethanol (2.0-4.0 g/kg) in mice was attenuated by a single equivalent ethanol injection given 24 h earlier. The diminished hypothermic response was not an artifact since it could not be attributed to changes in body weight and was independent of familiarity with test environment and procedures. A parallel shift in the dose-response curve was found. Apparently, the reduced change in body temperature is indicative of tolerance. If the 2nd ethanol injection was given 48 or 72 h later, tolerance could no longer be seen. With injections spaced 24 h apart, a 3rd administration of ethanol did not further increase the tolerance seen after the 2nd injection. Since blood ethanol levels did not differ in tolerant and nontolerant mice and since tolerance was already present 10 min after the 2nd ethanol injection, a functional rather than a metabolic tolerance is likely.

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