Effects of amino acids on alcohol intake in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Examination was made of the effects of amino acids on alcohol intake in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). The animals were divided into two groups according to dietary protein level, normal (15%) and low (5%). The two groups were further divided into two groups according to whether they selected the ethanol solution containing amino acids (non-amino acid group and amino acid group). The 5% ethanol solutions with and without various amino acids were prepared in a water-supplying tube to which the animals had free access for 40 days. The 5% ethanol solution intake in rats fed the normal protein diet was higher than that of the low protein group. Regardless of dietary protein level, 5% ethanol solution intake increased in the amino acid group. Intake of the 5% ethanol solution containing 100 mM L-proline, 100 mM L-lysine, and 100 mM L-threonine was large. For the amino acid group of rats fed normal protein and low protein, plasma glutamate oxalacetate transaminase (GOT) activity was significantly reduced. It is suggested that the alcohol intake may increase by adding amino acid to the alcohol solution.