Phase-response curve for ethanol: alterations in circadian rhythms of temperature and activity in rats

Circadian rhythms of core body temperature and general activity in Sprague-Dawley rats were monitored for 21 days using remote radiotelemetry to examine acute and sustained effects of 0 (saline) 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg ethanol injections administered at four different times of day. Ethanol produced dose-dependent and statistically significant hypothermia and hypoactivity when injected at 0100, 0700, 1300, and 1900 h; however, the magnitude of the hypothermic effect was greatest at the 1900-h injection time. Cosinor analyses revealed persistent alterations in both activity and temperature rhythms, which lasted for at least 48 h postinjection. Ethanol significantly shortened the period of activity rhythms when injected in either 1.0 or 2.0 g/kg doses at 0700 and 1300 h, and produced similar period-shortening effects on temperature rhythms at 1300 and 1900 h. The acrophase of the activity rhythm was significantly phase delayed by 1.0 g/kg ethanol at 0700 h, while the acrophase of temperature was significantly phase advanced by 2.0 g/kg ethanol at 0100 h, but significantly phase delayed by the same dose administered at 1300 h. A statistically significant and dose-dependent reduction in the amplitude of the body temperature rhythm was observed at the 1900-h administration time. There were no differences in the MESOR (Midline Estimating Statistic of Rhythm; i.e., rhythm-adjusted mean value) of either temperature or activity circadian rhythms as a function of ethanol treatment at any dose.