This schematic illustrates the incorporation of sodium valerate and NaCl supplementation into the DID paradigm. The light gray horizontal bar represents the 20% v/v ethanol drinking for 2 h during the first 3 days and for 4 h on the fourth day within the DID paradigm. The light green horizontal bar represents either sodium valerate in sodium valerate-supplemented mice or NaCl supplementation in control mice. This supplementation continued throughout the entire experiment, except during DID sessions. The dashed black arrow indicates open field activity testing after completing 10 days of supplementation with sodium valerate or NaCl in cohort 1. Throughout this period, mice in cohort 1 were also monitored for daily changes in body weight, food intake, and fluid intake. Additionally, the solid black arrow indicates the measurement of ethanol consumption and BEC through blood collection after the completion of the 4 h ethanol drinking session in cohort 2.
