Prostaglandin E2 reduces voluntary ethanol consumption in the rat

Abstract

A number of prior studies have suggested that the prostaglandins may mediate some of the physiological effects of ethanol, and while it has been suggested that PGE2 may be involved in regulating ethanol consumption, evidence for this has been inconclusive. In the present study, rats injected with PGE2 at doses of 50, 100 and 200 micrograms/kg consumed significantly less alcohol than vehicle-treated controls. Doses of PGE2 which were highly effective in reducing ethanol intake produced only marginal changes in the consumption of water and glucose solution. These data, together with previous studies demonstrating a link between ethanol and the prostaglandins, suggest that PGE2 may be involved in the control of ethanol consumption.