Raphe lesions modify ethanol's effects on plasma corticosterone and NEFA.

Male rats received dorsal or median raphe electrolytic lesions or sham operations. Ten days later subjects received 3.0 g/kg ethanol or saline and were decapitated 30 minutes later. Both dorsal and median raphe lesions significantly increased corticosterone and non-esterified fatty acid levels. Ethanol significantly increased corticosterone and non-esterified fatty acid levels in rats with dorsal or median raphe lesions. Dorsal raphe lesions significantly attenuated the elevating effect of ethanol on corticosterone. These results confirm, in part, previous pharmacological studies and suggest the effects of ethanol on corticosterone, but not non-esterified fatty acid, involve serotonergic neurons.