TAURINE, ANALOGS AND ETHANOL ELICITED RESPONSES

The effect of taurine, of some of its precursors and major metabolic products on spontaneous locomotor activity were studied in mice. The effect of taurine and some analogues on certain ethanol-mediated responses were observed. Administration of taurine, 50 mg/kg, IP, did not significantly alter motility in experimental animals compared to controls. Behavioral depression was evident subsequent to injection of cysteine hydrochloride or taurocholic acid (50 mg/kg). Administration of taurocholic acid, 50 mg/kg, IP, 30 min prior to a narcotic dose of ethanol, 5 g/kg, IP, reduced the time required for the onset of ethanol-narcosis. Pretreatment with cysteic acid, 50 mg/kg, IP, prolonged ethanol-produced narcosis. Treatment with cysteic acid 30 min prior to ethanol, 2.5 g/kg, IP, was found to decrease whole blood ethanol concentration as compared to the respective controls without a concomitant changes in brain ethanol levels. Administration of taurocholic acid, 100 mg/kg, IP, decreased the intake of an ethanol solution in rats preferring 5% ethanol solution over water as the drinking fluid of choice. None of the compounds tested altered endogenous specific activity of mouse liver alcohol dehydrogenase when given once daily (50 mg/kg, IP) for 10 consecutive days. The results suggest that both taurocholic acid and cysteic acid exert additive action to some of ethanol-elicited responses studied. © 1979.