Suppression of ethanol intake following administration of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibitors in rats.

A comparison was made between the efficacy of action of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and/or aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibition in suppressing voluntary ethanol consumption in rats. Calcium carbimide, which caused the largest increase in blood acetaldehyde levels following ethanol injections, was the least effective in reducing ethanol consumption, whereas FLA-63, which had a smaller effect on blood acetaldehyde levels, was the most potent suppressor of ethanol ingestion. Disulfiram, which inhibits both aldehyde dehydrogenase and dopamine-beta-hydroxylase had an intermediate effect in terms of raising blood acetaldehyde levels and in suppressing ethanol intake. It is suggested that the inhibition of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase may be at least partly responsible for the suppression of ethanol intake seen following disulfiram administration, and that disruption of catecholamine synthesis may prove to be a more effective method for suppressing ethanol consumption.