The effects of several barbiturates on lithium chloride induced taste aversion

The effects of single doses of five barbiturates on LiCl induced saccharin aversion were examined. Twenty three hour fluid deprived rats were offered a novel 0.125% saccharin solution and then were injected with either 3.0 mEq/kg LiCl or 0.9% saline. On the first test day after conditioning the animals were injected with either 60 mg/kg sodium phenobarbital, 80 mg/kg sodium barbital, 30 mg/kg sodium amobarbital, 20 mg/kg sodium secobarbital, 9 mg/kg sodium pentobarbital or 0.9% saline, 15 min prior to the drinking session. Results indicate that only 9 mg/kg pentobarbital, 60 mg/kg phenobarbital, and 80 mg/kg barbital were effective in attenuating the LiCl induced saccharin aversion on the day of administration. In addition, dipsogenic effects for only 60 mg/kg phenobarbital and 30 mg/kg amobarbital were observed in the saline treated control groups. A synergistic interaction between the effects of LiCl and sodium phenobarbital, barbital, and secobarbital was also observed. Lithium chloride plus these barbiturates resulted in a longer term aversion to saccharin than LiCl alone and no barbiturate produced saccharin aversion when administered without LiCl.