| Abstract: | The effects of ethanol on the rate of both GABA[A] and GABA[B] receptor-mediated desensitization were investigated using the two GABA analogs, muscimol and baclofen, in spontaneous and electrically stimulated isolated segments of the guinea pig ileum, respectively. Specifically, muscimol induced GABA-mediated effects: prompt, dose-dependent contractions of the ileum, as well as dose-dependent desensitization. Ethanol 30mM was observed to have no significant effect on GABA[A] receptor desensitization kinetics using the GABAA agonist, muscimol. Additionally, baclofen-induced GABA[B] receptor mediated depression of electrically elicited twitch contractions of the ileum were observed to be desensitized to baclofen, and not altered by ethanol 30mM. These results do not support' the hypothesis that ethanol increases GABA receptor efficacy by blocking desensitization caused by GABA agonists. |
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