Influence of native and modified exogenous alcohol dehydrogenase on alcohol consumption in rats.

Abstract

The effect of native alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and ADH modified by polyethylene glycol on alcohol consumption and certain other behavioural parameters in rats were studied. Intravenous injection of native heterologous ADH significantly suppressed alcohol consumption between the 10th and 15th days after injection with a duration of the effect of 40 days or more. During this period, a low but reliable production of anti-ADH antibodies occurred. ADH modified by covalent attachment of polyethylene glycol did not give these results. Native ADH and ADH modified by polyethylene glycol caused enhanced nociception and active avoidance formation.