Abstract
The chronic consumption of ethanol has been correlated with the development of arrhythmias. This study looked at the effect of chronic ethanol ingestion on the action potential of sino-atrial cells. The studies were carried out on hearts excised from male Long-Evans hooded rats, pair-fed on ethanol (E) or control (C) liquid diet. The ethanol diet supplied 35–39% of calories as ethanol. The studies of isolated sino-atrial tissue were carried out after 18–20 weeks, 30–32 weeks and 40–42 weeks on the diet. Sino-atrial cells from E and C rats were compared for changes in spontaneous rate, action potential amplitude, time to repolarize to −70 mV, and resting membrane potential. At 18–20, 30–32 and 40–42 weeks the spontaneous rate of firing of the sinus node was significantly lower in the E group as was the maximum response to isoproterenol. The time to repolarize to −70 mV was longer in E. The endogenous level of catecholamines was also lower in the E group.
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