The regulatory role of neurotransmitters in orexin B induced nucleus accumbens dependent alcohol ingestion in wistar albino rats

Objective: The Present study mainly focussed on the influential role of local neurotransmitter level in Orexin B induced Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) dependent voluntary ethanol consumption and preference. Methods: NAc in male Wistar rats were infused by Orexin B (low dose-3 nmol/μl and high dose 30nmol/μl) and Orexin B antagonist (TCS-OX2-29) (10μg/μl) sequentially. Food intake, alcohol intake, and two-bottle free choice preference tests (alcohol vs. water) were carried out at one hour, 2 hrs, 4 hrs, 12 hours, and 24 hrs in all the groups. Neurotransmitters level in the Nucleus Accumbens was also estimated at the end of the study. Results: Orexin B (30nm/µl) increased net alcohol intake in single-bottle test as well as in two-bottle free choice test. Whereas, Orexin B antagonist decreased alcohol consumption and preference to ethanol. Glutamate level significantly decreased and Dopamine and noradrenaline concomitantly increased. Conclusions: Orexin B plays a role in the modulation of ethanol consumption and preference confirmed by Orexin B antagonist infusion. The influence of neurotransmitter levels in Orexin B mediated ethanol consumption was also explored.