Tolerance development in UChA and UChB rats by ethanol inhalation

Abstract

The development of tolerance by exposure to ethanol vapor in rats of the UChA and UChB strains has been studied. The exposure to ethanol vapor (6-7 mg per liter of air) during 46 hours developed clear tolerance to ethanol narcosis time in rats of both strains and sexes, while no tolerance to latency time was developed in any of these strains. Regarding the hypothermic effect of ethanol, only male rats of the UChB strains showed a decrease of rectal temperature significantly lower (p<0.05) than its respective control group. Blood alcohol levels (BALs) at awakening after the injection of ethanol (60 mmole/kg IP) were also determined. The results showed only a significantly lower BAL (p<0.05) in the females of the UChA strain subjected to ethanol inhalation. © 1989.