Involvement of dopamine D2 receptors in the suppressive effect of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone analog TA-0910 on alcohol intake in alcohol-preferring rats.

Pharmacological experiments were conducted to determine the neuronal mechanisms involved in the suppressive effects of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone analog TA-0910 on alcohol intake in alcohol-preferring (P) rats. We previously reported that single intraperitoneal injections of TA-0910 dose-dependently reduced alcohol intake in P rats without altering fluid or total calorie intake; however, after several consecutive, once-daily injections, P rats developed tolerance to the suppressive effects of TA-0910 on alcohol intake and cross-tolerance to like effects of the dopamine D2 agonist bromocriptine, but not to like effects of the serotonin uptake inhibitor fluoxetine. In the present study, rats were injected with vehicle or different doses of the D2 antagonist s(-)-eticlopride (0.01 to 0.05 mg/kg) or the D1 antagonist R(+)-SCH23390 (0.1 to 0.5 mg/kg) and 20 min later with TA-0910 (0.75 mg/kg). Alcohol and water intakes were measured at 2, 4, 6, and 24 hr, and food was measured every 24 hr. Both s(-)-eticlopride and R(+)-SCH23390 produced modest reductions in alcohol intake alone; however, only s(-)-eticlopride antagonized the suppressive effect of TA-0910 on alcohol intake. In related experiments, it was confirmed that the dopamine D3 agonist 7-hydroxy-N,N-di-n-propyl-2-aminotetralin reduced alcohol intake in P rats, and it was found that tolerance to this effect did not develop during or after seven consecutive once-daily injections. Furthermore, this effect of 7-hydroxy-N,N-di-n-propyl-2-aminotetralin was not diminished in rats made tolerant to the effect of TA-0910 on alcohol intake. These data, those of previous studies, and recent preliminary findings support involvement of dopamine D2, but not D1 or D3 receptors in mediating the suppressive effect of TA-0910 on alcohol intake of P rats.