Caloric vs. pharmacologic effects of ethanol consumption on activity anorexia in rats

Food restriction, combined with access to a running wheel, produces "activity anorexia" (self-starvation) in rats. The relative effects of ethanol and propylene glycol on activity-maintained self-starvation were examined. Young male rats were provided with access to a running wheel while on a 22.5-h food deprivation schedule. One-third were concurrently provided with a 7% solution of ethanol, one-third with a (pharmacologically weak) 7% solution of propylene glycol, and one-third with water. Results indicated that neither survival rate nor running activity were affected significantly by ethanol consumption, relative to water-drinking controls. However, increased survival rates and decreased activity were observed for those animals which consumed propylene glycol. Antagonistic effects of ethanol on energy metabolism, stress responses, and the preservation of body weight are considered in light of these findings.