Effect of Alkoxylactone Wine Volatiles on Open-Field Behavior of Rats

Abstract

The effects of the wine volatiles 4-ethoxy-4-hydroxybutyric acid-γ-1actone [5-ethoxydihydro-2 (3H)-furanone], 4-propoxy-4-hydroxybutyric acid-γ-lactone [5-propoxydihydro-2(3H)-furanone], and 4-isobutoxy-4-hydroxybutyric acid-γ-lactone [5-(2-methylpropoxy)-dihydro-2(3H)-furanone] on the behavior of rats in the open field was measured after intraperitoneal (IP) injection and after stomach intubation. Administered IP, the three lactones showed significant depression of rearing behavior in comparison with saline as control (t>3.35, P<.001), though only the ethoxy and propoxy lactones were significantly different from control for ambulation. Via stomach, no significant differences from controls were found for any lactone or any behavioral parameter. With doses of 50 mg per 100 g body weight, ethoxy and propoxy lactones were significantly different (t>5.10, P<.001) in comparisons between IP and stomach administration, and isobutoxylactone showed t>2.76, 0.02>P>0.01. Electrocardiograms showed significant differences, and lactones had a clear depressant effect on amplitude of respiration. No histological changes were apparent after lactone injection, nor was there any change in liver redox potential as measured by lactate/pyruvate and 3-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratios.