Ethanol diuresis in rats: possible modifying factors

Ethanol has been shown to produce a biphasic dose-dependent effect on urine output in rats. Experiments were carried out to examine factors which may influence ethanol diuresis. Immobilization stress (30 min) decreased and ethanol (2.5 g kg-1) increased urine output of intragastrically hydrated rats. In stressed rats, ethanol had a more pronounced diuretic effect compared with home cage control rats. This increased sensitivity to ethanol disappeared when rats were immobilized daily for four days, indicating development of tolerance. The diuretic action of ethanol was not influenced by adrenalectomy.