The influence of hyperbaric oxygen on attraction to alcohol

Abstract

Introduction: Despite of the joint efforts of scientists worldwide during many years, the alcoholism continues to be a major medical and social problem. The effective method of treatment remains to be developed.

Aim: To study the action of the hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on attraction to alcohol in experimental conditions.

Material and methods: The study of alcohol consumption’s level by rats was performed by selecting animals with different degree on attraction to alcohol. Fifty rats were divided according to their activity in condition of inescapable swimming in water pool. The overall time of swimming was fixed. Accordingly, animals were divided in low-active (LA)-22 rats and high-active (HA)-28 rats. Pursuant to existent literature, LA rats have higher attraction to alcohol than HA rats. Two groups by 10 rats were formed. The second of it was the control group. The LA animals were placed in individual cages with access to water and alcohol (15%). The overall volumes of ingested alcohol were compared during 10 days on the background of HBO (oxygen 2 ata, 60 min) and 10 days without HBO for the first group. The control group underwent the same measurement but without HBO action.

Results: The tests showed that the alcohol consumption in LA rats sharply decreased after the hyperbaric oxygen action. In the control group the alcohol consumption remained constant during the entire period. It is possible that the attraction to alcohol decrease because of the HBO’s influence on neuromediator system, namely the synthesis and metabolism of serotonin. Thus we can presume the inclusion of oxygen in the processes related to attraction to alcohol as the serotoninergic system has its important role in the voluntary alcohol consumption’s adjustment.

Conclusion: The conducted research showed the influence of hyperbaric oxygen on the central nervous system’s structures where motivation reactions are generated. These oxygen properties could complete the action of drugs that suppress the attraction to alcohol.