Reduced Leucine-Enkephalin—Like Immunoreactive Substance in Hamster Basal Ganglia After Long-Term Ethanol Exposure

Abstract

Golden Syrian hamsters were placed individually in cages with three drinking bottles--one empty, one containing water, and the third containing water and ethanol. Control hamsters received water only. After 1 year the experimental hamsters showed a significantly lower concentration of leucine-enkephalin-like immunoreactive substance in the basal ganglia than the control hamsters. This finding indicates that the action of ethanol involves endogenous peptidyl opiates.