Ethanol: modifications of acute intoxication by divalent cations
Erickson, C.K.; Tyler, T.D.; Harris, R.A.
Science 199(4334): 1219-1221
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-8075 PMID: 343251 Document Number: 137437
Ca, other divalent cations, and Ca antagonists were tested for their ability to alter ethanol-induced sleeping time, hypothermia and behavioral intoxication in mice and rats. Ca given intraventricularly significantly enhanced sleeping time and behavioral intoxication in a dose-related manner. The ionophores X537A decreased sleeping time. Ca also enhanced tertiary butanol- and chloral hydrate-induced sleeping time. The effects of cations on ethanol-induced hypothermia were less significant. The existence of a central Ca pool that is involved in ethanol intoxication in rodents is suggested.