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Changes in the beta-endorphin plasma level after repeated treatment with acamprosate in rats selectively bred for high and low alcohol preference.

Zalewska-Kaszubska J, Cwiek W, Dyr W, Czarnecka E

Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Łódź, Muszyńskiego 1, PL 90-151 Łódź, Poland. jzalewska@pharm.am.lodz.pl

The aim of this study was to evaluate the beta-endorphin (beta-endorphin) plasma level in Warsaw Low Preferring (WLP) and Warsaw high-preferring (WHP) rats after repeated administration of acamprosate, one of most effective drug in the treatment of alcoholism. Treatment with acamprosate in dose 200mg/kg, p.o. for 10 days induced an increase in plasma beta-endorphin levels. A single injection of ethanol also results in the increase of beta-endorphin level. Moreover, it was found that single injection of ethanol to WHP rats resulted in lower increase of plasma beta-endorphin content in rats earlier treated with acamprosate. In WLP rats, repeated acamprosate treatment prevents the ethanol-induced increase in plasma beta-endorphin level. It may be concluded that acamprosate modulates the endogenous opioid system.

Published 24 August 2005 in Neurosci Lett, 388(1): 45-8.
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