The effect of cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist rimonabant (SR-141716) on ethanol drinking in high-preferring rats

The present study investigated the effect of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist, rimonabant (SR-141716) on ethanol intake in selectively bred alcohol-preferring Warsaw High-Preferring rats. Ethanol (10% vol/vol) and food were available in daily 4-h limited access period while water was available ad libitum. The administration (i.p.) of single 2.5 and 5.0-mg/kg doses of rimonabant preferentially reduced ethanol intake, whereas a 10 mg/kg dose of rimonabant similarly reduced both ethanol and food intake. Our result extends the suppressive effect of cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist to the ethanol drinking behavior in Warsaw High-Preferring line of rats. The result also supports a growing body of literature indicating that the cannabinoid CB1 receptor is involved in motivational and appetitive properties of ethanol.