Withdrawal symptoms of ethanol are ameliorated by thymopentin in mice / 北京大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the effect of thymopentin (TP5) on the choice of ethanol and ameliorating withdrawal symptoms (anxiety) of ethanol in mice. Methods: Mice were administered ethanol (v/v) in schedular fashion 5% (1 week), 10% (1 week) and 15% (4 weeks), followed with the free choice between ethanol and water. Ethanol/(ethanol+water)?100% E/(E+W)?100% was measured as an index of ethanol selection. Light-dark box test and elevated plus maze test were chosen for the assessment of anxiety pre-drug and post-drug. After TP5 0.2 mg/(kg?d), 0.4 mg/(kg?d), ip or saline(vehicle control), ip for 14 days,the procedure was repeated. Result: (1) E/(E+W)?100% the post-drug values of TP5 (0.2 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg) were lower significantly than the pre-drug values. (2) Light-dark box test the post-drug values of number of entries and time spent in the light chamber of TP5 (0.2 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg) were more than the pre-drug values themselves and the post-drug value of saline. (3) Elevated plus maze test the post-drug values of time spent on open arms of TP5 (0.2 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg) were more than the pre-drug values themselves and the post-drug value of saline,and the post-drug values of time spent on close arms of TP5 were less than the pre-drug values. Conclusion: TP5 could decrease the uptake of ethanol and ameliorate anxious behavior associated with ethanol withdrawal in mice.