Cited 8 times since 2004 (0.4 per year) source: EuropePMC Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire), Volume 39, Issue 6, 11 2 2004, Pages 499-502 Oral chronic ethanol administration to rodents by agar gel diet. Bykov I, Palmén M, Piirainen L, Lindros KO
Background
Chronic ethanol administration to rodents requires specially designed equipment and is labor intensive. Here we report a new procedure.
Method
A commercial liquid diet preparation was made into a gel by addition of 0.5% agar. The gel, containing 5.3% ethanol, was offered in Falcon tubes equipped with a feeding opening.
Results
The gel consumption by C57/Bl mice resulted in high blood ethanol levels (average 43 mM). After 6 weeks, marked liver steatosis and significantly increased serum alanine aminotransferase levels had developed.
Conclusions
Administration of ethanol in a nutritionally adequate gel provides a simple method for studies on chronic ethanol effects in rodents.
