Prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors antagonize the depressant effects of ethanol.
Several studies indicate that ethanol may depress the central nervous system by altering neurotransmitter release. Evidence obtained from the peripheral nervous system suggests that prostaglandins act as negative feedback inhibitors of transmitter release. If a similar process occurs in the brain, then perhaps ethanol affects transmitter release via a mechanism involving prostaglandins. Prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors were administered to adult HS/Ibg male mice prior to intraperitoneal injection of a hypnotic dose of either ethanol, propanol, or t-butanol. A significant decrease in the length of alcohol sleep time was found: in the ethanol study, this was coupled with a significant increase in waking blood alcohol levels. These results indicate that inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis alters CNS sensitivity to the depressant effects of alcohol. When the same inhibitors were administered prior to other sedative hypnotics, i.e., pentobarbital and chloral hydrate, no effect was found. This suggests that prostaglandins may be specifically involved in the biochemical mechanism of alcohol depression.