Brain-gut neuropeptides and the limitation of ethanol consumption

Recent studies have clearly shown powerful control of ingestive behavior by certain peptides known to be present in both brain and gut tissues. These "brain-gut neuropeptides" are thought to constitute endogenous factors responsible for the normal regulation of food intake. This review explores the potential for a role of these peptides in the limitation of ethanol intake, which shares several features with the control of food intake. The putative satiety role of the neuropeptides cholecystokinin and bombesin, and other brain-gut peptides is briefly described. The conclusion that voluntary ethanol intake is partially controlled as a function of the energy ethanol provides, and the rate of its utilization, is illustrated with data from recent studies of rat and hamster ethanol consumption. The possibility of neuropeptide influence on ethanol intake is presented in light of new findings that cholecystokinin and bombesin inhibit ethanol consumption in the rat. If neuropeptides are demonstrated to modulate ethanol intake by eliciting satiety, this information may be useful in the identification and understanding of the endogenous factors which regulate human alcohol intake, and will suggest possible peptide-based therapeutic interventions for control of alcohol abuse and alcoholism.