Alcohol elimination and the regulation of alcohol consumption in AA and ANA rats

Previous studies have usually found that animals with either higher alcohol elimination rates or ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase, EC1.I.I.I) activities have higher voluntary intakes of alcohol than ones with lower elimination rates. This relationship has now been studied in the AA and ANA rat lines genetically developed, respectively, for high and low alcohol consumption. Female AA and ANA rats had their alcohol elimination rate measured before being given a free choice between 10% (v/v) alcohol and water for 3 weeks. The elimination rate was then measured again and liver ADH activity was determined. The alcohol elimination rate was significantly higher in AA than ANA rats before drinking and was increased by alcohol drinking in AA but not ANA rats. ADH activity was similar in both lines and unrelated to either alcohol drinking or elimination rates, suggesting that the enzyme activity is not a rate-limiting factor in the alcohol metabolism of these two lines. The present results support the conclusion that alcohol elimination and alcohol consumption are partially determined by genetics. Furthermore, although alcohol elimination itself probably does not have direct control over drinking, some factor related to the alcohol elimination rate appears to be among the mechanisms influencing the level of alcohol drinking.