La vía kinurenina como una posible diana farmacológica en el abuso de alcohol y su regulación por la microbiota intestinal

Abstract

Ethanol (EtOH) is the main component of alcoholic beverages. It is consumed because of its pleasurable, relaxing and reinforcing effects. However, the fact that 1 in 20 deaths in the world is directly attributable to EtOH consumption (1) cannot be overlooked EtOH produces its effects in the brain through multiple mechanisms involving diverse neurotransmission systems, although the dopaminergic system is the key player in the reinforcing effects which drive individuals to engage in abusive EtOH consumption (2). EtOH metabolism is mainly oxidative and can take place throughout the digestive system (3). This fact suggests that EtOH could be related to gut microbiota and that part of its effects may be exerted through the gut-microbiota-brain axis, which has been characterized in other mental illnesses (4–9)...