マウスのエタノール経口摂取にともなう酔いの2種類の行動的評価

抄録

Evaluation of ethanol intoxication in humans has difficulties in individual differences and ethical considerations. Intraperitoneal injection of ethanol has been used in evaluation of ethanol intoxication in nonhuman animals. We have developed two kinds of behavioral evaluations of intoxication by oral administration of ethanol in mice. Oral administration of ethanol (1.6∼4.0g/kg as a single dose, 0.8∼1.6g/kg dosed twice) increased both the number of open-arm entries and the time spent in the open arm of the elevated plus-maze test, demonstrating an anxiolytic-like effect of ethanol. Oral administration of ethanol (1.6 or 4.0g/kg single dose, 1.2 or 2.4g/kg dosed twice) significantly decreased locomotor activity under fasting conditions. Under semi-fasting conditions, oral administration of ethanol (1.6g/kg single dose) transiently enhanced locomotor activity 1 h after administration but decreased subsequently for 48 h. Elevated plus maze and locomotor activity are useful for analyzing mild and mild-to-severe intoxicaton, respectively, caused by oral administration of ethanol on the condition used in this study.