Bombesin and litorin inhibit ethanol intake

Twenty-three hr water-deprived rats received access to 5% ethanol solution for 30 min daily. Intraperitoneal injection of bombesin (4.0-16.0 micrograms/kg) or litorin (16.0 micrograms/kg) significantly inhibited ethanol intake. Litorin (32.0 micrograms/kg) equivalently suppressed the intakes of 5% ethanol and 8.9% dextrose solutions. The results are consistent with previous reports that administration of bombesin-like peptides selectively inhibits caloric intake in the rat. Injection of bombesin-like peptides may affect ethanol and dextrose intake by eliciting a satiety signal that governs caloric intake.