Participation of Catalase in Voluntary Ethanol Consumption in Perinatally Low-Level Lead-Exposed Rats

MATTALLONI, M.S; DE GIOVANNI, L; MOLINA, JC; CANCELA, LM; VIRGOLINI, M. B

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2013 vol. 1 p. 1 - 1

ackground: Environmental lead (Pb) exposure and alcohol abuse pose significant public healthproblems for our society. One of the proposed mechanisms of action of the developmental neurotoxicant Pb is related to its ability to affect antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT). Ethanol’s (EtOH) motivational effects are postulated to be mediated by the CAT-dependent acetaldehyde generated in the brain. The current study sought to investigate the role of this enzyme in the elevated EtOH intake previously reported in perinatally Pb-exposed rats.Methods: Thirty-five-day-old male Wistar rats exposed to 220 ppm Pb during gestation and lactation were offered escalating EtOH solutions (2 to 10%) or water, 2 h/d for 28 days. Once baseline 10% EtOH intake was achieved, they were injected with (i) saline (SAL), (ii) 3-amino 1,2,4 triazole (aminotriazole: AT, a CAT inhibitor, 250 mg/kg i.p., 5 hour before the last 8 EtOH intake sessions), or (iii) 3-nitropropionic acid (3NPA, a CAT activator,