Effects of L-ascorbic acid on ethanol-induced central nervous system depression in mice

Male Swiss-Webster mice were administered ethanol immediately before a motor coordination test. Controls and animals treated with 1, 2 or 3 g/kg, IP, of ethanol remained on a suspended meter stick for 240 +/- 0, 232 +/- 8, 93 +/- 2 and 75 +/- 5 sec, respectively. Blood ethanol levels at the end of the test period (4 min) or when the animal fell from the meter stick were 1.02 +/- 0.03, 2.13 +/- 0.09 and 2.24 +/- 0.07 mg/ml for the 1, 2 and 3 g/kg dose of ethanol, respectively. Thirty min prior to ethanol (2 g/kg, IP) animals received L-ascorbic acid in doses of 500 or 1000 mg/kg, IP. Both doses of L-ascorbic acid significantly enhanced the duration of time that the animals spent on the meter stick. When animals were given 1 g/kg, IP, of ethanol their rate of walking (cm/min) on the meter stick was significantly increased over controls. Administration of L-ascorbic acid (1000 mg/kg, IP) 30 min prior to ethanol (1 g/kg) did not change the rate of locomotion. In experiments on ethanol-induced hypnosis (sleep-time), animals received L-ascorbic acid (250, 500, 1000 or 1500 mg/kg, IP) or saline 30 min prior to ethanol (4 g/kg, IP). L-ascorbic acid increased the time of onset of hypnosis significantly at doses of 1000 and 1500 mg/kg. With these doses of L-ascorbic acid sleep duration and blood ethanol content were not altered. L-ascorbic acid, however, increased ethanol-induced hypnosis at a dose of 500 mg/kg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)