Effects of ethanol and pentobarbital on neuronal hexose uptake in inbred mice

The effect of ethanol and pentobarbital narcosis on 2-deoxyglucose uptake into brain synaptosomes prepared from inbred C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mice which exhibit differential central sensitivity to ethanol and heterogeneous ICR mice was examined. A reversible depression of synaptosomal uptake was exhibited in all strains administered ethanol acutely, occurring at 2 min in ICR and C57BL/6J mice and 15 min in DBA/2J. Uptake returned to control values in all strains at 30 min although the mice remained intoxicated. Brain glucose concentration was significantly elevated at this time. Pentobarbital administration was without effect on synaptosomal hexose transport in DBA/2J and C57BL/6J mice but increased it significantly in ICR mice at 30 min. Pentobarbital anesthesia did not alter brain glucose concentration. No correlation was apparent between synaptosomal 2-deoxyglucose uptake and differential CNS sensitivity to ethanol and pentobarbital. The effects of ethanol and pentobarbital on neuronal hexose transport is discussed with respect to reported changes in glycolytic metabolism produced by these agents.