Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, USA.
Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2010 Sep 1;34(9):1651-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2010.01251.x. Epub 2010 Jun 21.
Alcohol abuse leads to marked disruptions of circadian rhythms, and these disturbances in themselves can increase the drive to drink. Circadian clock timing is regulated by light, as well as by nonphotic influences such as food, social interactions, and wheel running. We previously reported that alcohol markedly disrupts photic and nonphotic modes of circadian rhythm regulation in Syrian hamsters. As an extension of this work, we characterize the hedonic interrelationship between wheel running and ethanol (EtOH) intake and the effects of environmental circadian disruption (long-term exposure to constant light [LL]) on the drive to drink.
First, we tested the effect of wheel running on chronic free-choice consumption of a 20% (v/v) EtOH solution and water. Second, the effect of this alcohol drinking on wheel running in alcohol-naive animals was investigated. Third, we assessed the influence of LL, known to suppress locomotor activity and cause circadian rhythm disruption, on EtOH consumption and wheel-running behavior.
Inhibitory effects of wheel running on EtOH intake and vice versa were observed. Exposure to LL, while not affecting EtOH intake, induced rhythm splitting in 75% of the animals. Notably, the splitting phenotype was associated with lower levels of EtOH consumption and preference prior to, and throughout, the period of LL exposure.
These results are evidence that exercise may offer an efficacious clinical approach to reducing EtOH intake. Also, predisposition for light-induced (or other) forms of circadian disruption may modulate the drive to drink.
酗酒会导致明显的昼夜节律紊乱，而这些紊乱本身就会增加饮酒的欲望。昼夜节律的计时由光调节，也由非光影响调节，如食物、社交互动和轮跑。我们之前报道过，酒精会显著扰乱叙利亚仓鼠的光和非光昼夜节律调节模式。作为这项工作的延伸，我们描述了轮跑和乙醇（EtOH）摄入之间的享乐相互关系，以及环境昼夜节律破坏（长期暴露于恒定光照[LL]）对饮酒欲望的影响。
首先，我们测试了轮跑对慢性自由选择消耗 20%（v/v）乙醇溶液和水的影响。其次，研究了这种酒精摄入对酒精初饮动物轮跑的影响。第三，我们评估了已知抑制运动活动并导致昼夜节律破坏的长光照（LL）对 EtOH 消耗和轮跑行为的影响。
观察到轮跑对 EtOH 摄入的抑制作用和相反的作用。暴露于 LL 虽然不影响 EtOH 摄入，但会导致 75%的动物出现节律分裂。值得注意的是，在 LL 暴露之前和期间，这种分裂表型与较低的 EtOH 消耗和偏好水平有关。
这些结果表明，运动可能是一种有效的临床方法来减少 EtOH 的摄入。此外，对光诱导（或其他）形式的昼夜节律破坏的易感性可能会调节饮酒欲望。
