Alcoholic Rats Research Articles

Expression profiles of eNOS, iNOS and microRNA-27b in the corpus cavernosum of rats submitted to chronic alcoholism and Diabetes mellitus.

To evaluate the expression of endothelial and inducible NOS in addition to the miRNA-27b in the corpus cavernosum and peripheral blood of healthy rats, diabetic rats, alcoholic rats and rats with both pathologies. Forty eight Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (C), alcoholic (A), diabetic (D) and alcoholic-diabetic (AD). Samples of the corpus cavernosum were prepared to study protein expressions of eNOS and iNOS by immunohistochemistry and expression of miRNA-27b in the corpus cavernosum and peripheral blood. Immunohistochemistry for eNOS and iNOS showed an increase in cavernosal smooth muscle cells in the alcoholic, diabetic and alcoholic-diabetic groups when compared with the control group. Similarly, the mRNA levels for eNOS were increased in cavernosal smooth muscle (CSM) in the alcoholic, diabetic and alcoholic-diabetic groups and miRNA-27b were decreased in CSM in the alcoholic, diabetic and alcoholic-diabetic groups. The major new finding of our study was an impairment of relaxation of cavernosal smooth muscle in alcoholic, diabetic, and alcoholic-diabetic rats that involved a decrease in the nitric oxide pathway by endothelium-dependent mechanisms accompanied by a change in the corpus cavernosum contractile sensitivity.

ВПЛИВ ВРС60 НА ШВИДКІСНО-СИЛОВІ ПАРАМЕТРИ ТЕТАНІЧНОГО СКОРОЧЕННЯ MUSCLE SOLEUS АЛКОГОЛІЗОВАНИХ ЩУРІВ ЗА УМОВИ ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНО-ІНДУКОВАНОЇ ІШЕМІЇ РІЗНОЇ ТРИВАЛОСТІ

In the article presented the results of tenzometric studies of the effect of C60FAS (concentration 0.15 mg / ml) at a dose of 1 mg / kg ON the speed-power parameters of the tetanic reduction of muscle soleus under conditions of ischemia in chronic alcoholic rats during 1-hour and 2-hour. The synergistic effect of ischemic injury and alcoholic intoxication, as compared to the native muscle, is manifested in reducing the reduction power to 26,25 ± 3,23 and 20,2 ± 2,45 (p≤0,01), and an increase in the time to achieve it the maximum values for 1.33 ± 0.12s and 1.45 ± 0.15s (p≤0.01) respectively. It is shown that if the intraperitoneal administration of the VRC60 solution is given, these indices are likely to increase.

Relationship between the Expression of α-syn and Neuronal Apoptosis in Brain Cortex of Acute Alcoholism Rats

To observe the changes of expression of α-synuclein （α-syn） and neuronal apoptosis in brain cortex of acute alcoholism rats and to explore the mechanism of the damage caused by ethanol to the neurons. The model of acute alcoholism rat was established by 50% alcohol gavage. The α-syn and caspase-3 were detected by immunohistochemical staining and imaging analysis at 1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after acute alcoholism. The number of positive cell and mean of optical density were detected and the trend change was analyzed. The variance analysis and t-test were also performed. The number of α-syn positive cell and average optical density in brain cortex of acute alcoholism rat increased significantly and peaked at 6 hour with a following slight decrease at 12 h, but still higher than the groups at 1 h and 3 h. Within 12 hours after poisoning, the number of caspase-3 positive cell and average optical density in brain cortex of rats gradually increased. The abnormal aggregation of α-syn caused by brain edema and hypoxia may participate the early stage of neuronal apoptosis in brain cortex after acute alcoholism.

Dihydroartemisinin protects against alcoholic liver injury through alleviating hepatocyte steatosis in a farnesoid X receptor-dependent manner

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a common etiology of liver diseases, characterized by hepatic steatosis. We previously identified farnesoid X receptor (FXR) as a potential therapeutic target for ALD. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) has been recently identified to possess potent pharmacological activities on liver diseases. This study was aimed to explore the impact of DHA on ALD and further elaborate the underlying mechanisms. Gain- or loss-of-function analyses of FXR were applied in both in vivo and in vitro studies. Results demonstrated that DHA rescued FXR expression and activity in alcoholic rat livers. DHA also reduced serodiagnostic markers of liver injury, including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase. DHA improved alcohol-induced liver histological lesions, expression of inflammation genes, and inflammatory cell infiltration. In addition, DHA not only attenuated hyperlipidemia but also reduced hepatic steatosis through regulating lipogenesis and lipolysis genes. In vitro experiments further consolidated the concept that DHA ameliorated ethanol-caused hepatocyte injury and steatosis. Noteworthily, DHA effects were reinforced by FXR agonist obeticholic acid or FXR expression plasmids but abrogated by FXR antagonist Z-guggulsterone or FXR siRNA. In summary, DHA significantly improved alcoholic liver injury by inhibiting hepatic steatosis, which was dependent on its activation of FXR in hepatocytes.

Accumbal μ-Opioid Receptors Modulate Ethanol Intake in Alcohol-Preferring Alko Alcohol Rats.

The nucleus accumbens shell is a key brain area mediating the reinforcing effects of ethanol (EtOH). Previously, it has been shown that the density of μ-opioid receptors in the nucleus accumbens shell is higher in alcohol-preferring Alko Alcohol (AA) rats than in alcohol-avoiding Alko Non-Alcohol rats. In addition, EtOH releases opioid peptides in the nucleus accumbens and opioid receptor antagonists are able to modify EtOH intake, all suggesting an opioidergic mechanism in the control of EtOH consumption. As the exact mechanisms of opioidergic involvement remains to be elucidated, the aim of this study was to clarify the role of accumbal μ- and κ-opioid receptors in controlling EtOH intake in alcohol-preferring AA rats. Microinfusions of the μ-opioid receptor antagonist CTOP (0.3 and 1μg/site), μ-opioid receptor agonist DAMGO (0.03 and 0.1μg/site), nonselective opioid receptor agonist morphine (30μg/site), and κ-opioid receptor agonist U50488H (0.3 and 1μg/site) were administered via bilateral guide cannulas into the nucleus accumbens shell of AA rats that voluntarily consumed 10% EtOH solution in an intermittent, time-restricted (90-minute) 2-bottle choice access paradigm. CTOP (1μg/site) significantly increased EtOH intake. Conversely, DAMGO resulted in a decreasing trend in EtOH intake. Neither morphine nor U50488H had any effect on EtOH intake in the used paradigm. The results provide further evidence for the role of accumbens shell μ-opioid receptors but not κ-opioid receptors in mediating reinforcing effects of EtOH and in regulating EtOH consumption. The results also provide support for views suggesting that the nucleus accumbens shell has a major role in mediating EtOH reward.

Rosmarinic acid protects against chronic ethanol-induced learning and memory deficits in rats

Objectives: Ethanol consumption induces neurological disorders including cognitive dysfunction. Oxidative damage is considered a likely cause of cognitive deficits. We aimed to investigate the effects of rosmarinic acid (RA) in different doses for 30 days on chronic ethanol-induced cognitive dysfunction using the passive avoidance learning (PAL) and memory task in comparison with donepezil, a reference drug. We also evaluated the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lipid peroxidation in hippocampus as possible mechanisms.Methods: Memory impairment was induced by 15% w/v ethanol (2 g/kg, i.g.) administration for 30 days. RA (8, 16, and 32 mg/kg, i.g.) or donepezil (2 mg/kg, i.g.) was administered 30 minutes before ethanol. The acquisition trial was done 1 hour after the last administration of RA and donepezil. At the end, animals were weighed and hippocami were isolated for analyzing of oxidant/antioxidant markers.Results: Ethanol caused cognition deficits in the PAL and memory task. While RA 16 and 32 mg/kg improved cognition in control rats, it prevented learning and memory deficits of alcoholic groups. RA 8 mg/kg did not influence cognitive function in both control and alcoholic rats. RA 32 mg/kg had comparable effects with donepezil in prevention of acquisition and retention memory impairment. The higher doses of RA not only prevented increased lipid peroxidation and nitrite content but also decreased SOD, CAT, GSH, and FRAP levels in alcoholic groups and exerted antioxidant effects in non-alcoholic rats.Discussion: We showed that RA administration dose-dependently prevented cognitive impairment induced by chronic ethanol in PAL and memory and disturbed oxidant/antioxidant status as a possible mechanism. The antioxidant, anticholinesterase, and neuroprotective properties of RA may be involved in the observed effects. Therefore, RA represents a potential therapeutic option against chronic ethanol-induced amnesia which deserves consideration and further examination.

Ethanol effects on histobiochemical parameters of suckling pups borned from alcoholic rat mothers

Fetus and neonate growth retardation is one of the main characteristics of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) disorders. Ethanol can be transferred to the fetus through the placenta and to newborns through suckling. This study was designed to investigate the effects of consuming different doses of ethanol during lactation on enzymatic and tissue changes and growth indices in suckling rat pups. Forty-five lactating Wistar rats with nine lactating pups each were randomly allocated to three treatment groups. The two treatment groups received 2 and 4 % v/v ethanol, while the third group was the control on distilled water for 24 days. On day 25 after birth, 30 newborn rats were randomly selected from each group and serum activity of liver enzyme markers, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and creatine phosphokinase enzymes was measured. Pathological examinations were performed on brain, liver, and kidney tissues. The obtained data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Dunnett’s tests. Enzymatic activity of lactate dehydrogenase and creatinine was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the rats that received alcohol as compared to the control. In histopathological examinations, different injuries were observed in kidney, liver, and brain tissues of suckling pups exposed to 4 % v/v ethanol. Consumption of alcohol in the lactating rats can cause irreparable effects on the suckling neonate.

Serotonin and histamine mediate gastroprotective effect of fluoxetine against experimentally-induced ulcers in rats

Research in the treatment of gastric ulcer has involved the investigation of new alternatives, such as anti-depressant drugs. The present study was designed to investigate the gastroprotective effects of fluoxetine against indomethacin and alcohol induced gastric ulcers in rats and the potential mechanisms of that effect. Fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) was administered IP for 14 days. For comparative purposes, other rats were treated with ranitidine (30 mg/kg). Thereafter, after 24 h of fasting, INDO (100 mg/kg) or absolute alcohol (5 ml/kg) was administered to all rats (saline was administered to naïve controls) and rats in each group were sacrificed 5 h (for INDO rats) or 1 h (for alcohol rats) later. Macroscopic examination revealed that both fluoxetine and ranitidine decreased ulcer scores in variable ratios, which was supported by microscopic histopathological examination. Biochemical analysis of fluoxetine- or ranitidine-pre-treated host tissues demonstrated reductions in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels and concomitant increases in gastric pH, nitric oxide (NO) and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents. Fluoxetine, more than ranitidine, also resulted in serotonin and histamine levels nearest to control values. Moreover, immuno-histochemical analysis showed that fluoxetine markedly enhanced expression of cyclo-oxygenases COX-1 and COX-2 in both models; in comparison, ranitidine did not affect COX-1 expression in either ulcer model but caused moderate increases in COX-2 expression in INDO-induced hosts and high expression in alcohol-induced hosts. The results here indicated fluoxetine exhibited better gastroprotective effects than ranitidine and this could be due to anti-secretory, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-histaminic effects of the drug, as well as a stabilization of gastric serotonin levels.

Effects of ethanol consumption and alcohol detoxification on the biomechanics and morphology the bone in rat femurs.

The objective of this study was to verify the effects of ethanol consumption and alcohol detoxification on the biomechanics, area and thickness of cortical and trabecular bone in rat femur. This was an experimental study in which 18 male Wistar rats were used, with 40 days of age, weighing 179 ± 2.5 g. The rats were divided into three groups (n=06): CT (control), AC (chronic alcoholic), DT (detoxification). After experimental procedures, the animals were euthanized by an overdose of the anesthetic and their femurs were collected for mechanical testing and histological processing. All animals did not present malnutrition or dehydration during experimentation period. Morphometric analysis of cortical and trabecular bones in rat femurs demonstrated that AC animals showed inferior dimensions and alcohol detoxification (DT) allowed an enhancement in area and thickness of cortical and trabecular bone. Material and structural properties data of AC group highlighted the harmful effects of ethanol on bone mechanical properties. The results of this study demonstrated that chronic alcoholic rats (AC) presented major bone damage in all analyzed variables. Those findings suggested that alcohol detoxification is highly suggested in pre-operative planning and this corroborates to the success of bone surgery and bone tissue repair. Thanks to the financial support offered by PROBIC - UNIFENAS.

Ethanol consumption in the Sprague–Dawley rat increases sensitivity of the dorsal raphe nucleus to 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine

Alcoholism afflicts 1 in 13 US adults, and comorbidity with depression is common. Levels of serotonin (5-HT) metabolites in alcoholic or depressed humans and rat strains are lower compared to healthy counterparts. Rats bred for ethanol (EtOH) preference are common in EtOH studies, however out-bred strains better model the range of EtOH consumption in humans. We examined voluntary EtOH consumption in out-bred Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats placed in the 20% EtOH intermittent access drinking paradigm (IA). Acquisition of 20% EtOH consumption (g EtOH/kg/24h) was assessed during the first 6–8 weeks of IA. Rats naturally separated into two groups (Drinkers or Non-drinkers) based on EtOH intake above or below 0.5g/kg/24h prior to treatment intervention. We examined the effect of central 5-HT depletion on EtOH consumption by infusing 5,7-dihyroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT; i.c.v., 200–300μg) or vehicle and measured EtOH consumption for 4 weeks post-operatively in IA. Compared to baseline, there was no effect of vehicle or 5,7-DHT on EtOH consumption during the post-operative period. Quantification of 5-HT depletion in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) using tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2) immunohistochemistry resulted in a 76% decrease in staining with 5,7-DHT treatment. Interestingly, preservation of the ventromedial (VM) sub-regions was evident in all animals treated with 5,7-DHT, regardless of drinking behavior. In addition, Drinkers treated with 5,7-DHT had significantly more TPH2 depletion in the DRN compared to Non-drinkers. Our findings indicate that out-bred SD rats exhibit a natural EtOH consumption behavior (Drinker or Non-drinker) that is stable across time and independent of 5-HT depletion in the CNS. In addition, rats that regularly consumed >0.5g EtOH/kg had greater sensitivity to 5,7-DHT in the DRN, indicating an interaction between EtOH and sensitivity of DRN 5-HT cells to neurotoxic substances. This may contribute to the dysfunctionality of the 5-HT system in alcoholic humans and lead to a better understanding of current pharmacological treatments for this addiction.

Hepatoprotective activity of Peganum harmala against ethanol-induced liver damages in rats

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of Peganum harmala seeds extract (CPH) against chronic ethanol treatment. Hepatotoxicity was induced in male Wistar rats by administrating ethanol 35% (4 g/kg/day) for 6 weeks. CPH was co-administered with ethanol, by intraperitonial (IP) injection, at a dose of 10 mg/kg bw/day. Control rats were injected by saline solution (NaCl 9‰). Chronic ethanol administration intensified lipid peroxidation monitored by an increase of TBARS level in liver. Ethanol treatment caused also a drastic alteration in antioxidant defence system; hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. A co-administration of CPH during ethanol treatment inhibited lipid peroxidation and improved antioxidants activities. However, treatment with P. harmala extract protects efficiently the hepatic function of alcoholic rats by the considerable decrease of aminotransferase contents in serum of ethanol-treated rats.

English

The purpose of the present study was to prepare ethanol extract of Portulaca oleracea L. leaves (PLE) that is rich in phenolic compounds and investigate there in vitro and in vivo antioxidative activities using ethanol to induce oxidative stress in the liver. This study includes two phases. The first phase includes assessment of antioxidant capacity in vitro using 1,1- Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethyl-benzothiazo-line-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assay. In the second phase (assessment of antioxidant capacity in vivo), the levels of antioxidant parameters in the alcoholic liver disease rats were studied and the protective effect of ethanolic extract of P. oleracea L. in the alcoholic liver disease rats was examined to further understand their mechanisms. In vitro studies with DPPH and ABTS showed that PLE possesses antioxidant activity. In vivo administration of ethanol (7.9 g/kg body weight/day) for 45 days with PLE (100 mg/kg body weight/day) significantly decreased the activities of liver markers enzyme serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase in serum towards near normal level. In addition, PLE also significantly reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation and in addition, significantly restored the enzymatic &nbsp;and non-enzymatic antioxidants level in the liver of alcohol administration rats. Our study suggests that ethanol extract of P. oleracea leaves play a beneficial role in the treatment of alcohol induced tissue damage, which could be one of its therapeutic values. &nbsp; Key words: Alcoholic liver disease, Portulaca oleracea L., oxidative stress, ethanolic extract, antioxidants, rats.

New Approaches to the Treatment Alcohol Addiction in Experimental Alcoholism

Studying the effects of drugs on neuronal GABA A /benzodiazepine receptors can be the basis to develop new approaches to the treatment of this disease. Wistar rats (n = 250) used in the experimental model of alcoholism. Properties of BDR 'synaptosomal” and 'mitochondrial” types were examined in respective membrane fractions obtained from brain cortex of rats with experimental alcoholism and treating of anticonvulsant meta-chloro-benzhydrylurea (m-chBHU) by radioreceptor assay with [ 3 H]flunitrazepam and [ 3 H]Ro5-4864. As a result of screening in terms of consumption of 15% alcohol and water in the rat were divided into 3 groups of animals. 1st – rats preferred to ethanol in testing – 'heavy drink” rats (15% alcohol as the sole source of drinking for 10 months); 2nd – rats preferred to ethanol – 'non-heavy drink” male contained no access to the entire period of ethanol; 3rd – 'non-prefer” alcohol rats – contained in the water. Introduction of m-chBHU rats 100 mg/kg for 14 days caused a significant decrease in alcohol consumption in animals preferring alcohol (1st and 2nd groups). Comparative study of kinetic parameters of selective ligands with bran membranes showed that properties of BDR in membranes from brain cortex of male rats with different preference to alcohol and showed that affinity of BDRs was decreased, but capacity of receptors was increased in brain cortex of 'heavy drink” and 'non-heavy drink” male rats compared with 'non-prefer” alcohol rats. Administration of m-chBHU induced mediation of GABA in brain of these rats and reduced alcohol consumptions.

Enhanced Extracellular Glutamate and Dopamine in the Ventral Pallidum of Alcohol-Preferring AA and Alcohol-Avoiding ANA Rats after Morphine.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of ventral pallidal opioidergic mechanisms in the control of ethanol intake by studying the effects of acute administration of morphine on the levels of GABA, glutamate, and dopamine in the ventral pallidum. The study was conducted using the alcohol-preferring Alko Alcohol (AA) and alcohol-avoiding Alko Non-Alcohol (ANA) rat lines that have well-documented differences in their voluntary ethanol intake and brain opioidergic systems. Therefore, examination of neurobiological differences between the lines is supposed to help to identify the neuronal mechanisms underlying ethanol intake, since selection pressure is assumed gradually to lead to enrichment of alleles promoting high or low ethanol intake, respectively. The effects of an acute dose of morphine (1 or 10 mg/kg s.c.) on the extracellular levels of GABA and glutamate in the ventral pallidum were monitored with in vivo microdialysis. The concentrations of GABA and glutamate in the dialyzates were determined with a high performance liquid chromatography system using fluorescent detection, while electrochemical detection was used for dopamine. The levels of glutamate in the rats injected with morphine 1 mg/kg were significantly above the levels found in the controls and in the rats receiving morphine 10 mg/kg. Morphine 10 mg/kg also increased the levels of dopamine. Morphine could not, however, modify the levels of GABA. The rat lines did not differ in any of the effects of morphine. The data suggest that the glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems in the ventral pallidum may mediate some effects of morphine. Since there were no differences between the AA and ANA lines, the basic hypothesis underlying the use of the genetic animal model suggests that the effects of morphine detected probably do not underlie the different intake of ethanol by the lines and contribute to the control of ethanol intake in these animals.

Tiliacora triandra, an Anti-Intoxication Plant, Improves Memory Impairment, Neurodegeneration, Cholinergic Function, and Oxidative Stress in Hippocampus of Ethanol Dependence Rats.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in brain dysfunctions induced by alcohol. Since less therapeutic agent against cognitive deficit and brain damage induced by chronic alcohol consumption is less available, we aimed to assess the effect of Tiliacora triandra extract, a plant possessing antioxidant activity, on memory impairment, neuron density, cholinergic function, and oxidative stress in hippocampus of alcoholic rats. Male Wistar rats were induced ethanol dependence condition by semivoluntary intake of alcohol for 15 weeks. Alcoholic rats were orally given T. triandra at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg·kg−1BW for 14 days. Memory assessment was performed every 7 days while neuron density, activities of AChE, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px and, MDA level in hippocampus were assessed at the end of study. Interestingly, the extract mitigated the increased escape latency, AChE and MDA level. The extract also mitigated the decreased retention time, SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities, and neurons density in hippocampus induced by alcohol. These data suggested that the extract improved memory deficit in alcoholic rats partly via the decreased oxidative stress and the suppression of AChE. Therefore, T. triandra is the potential reagent for treating brain dysfunction induced by alcohol. However, further researches are necessary to understand the detail mechanism and possible active ingredient.

Acupuncture Reduces Memory Impairment and Oxidative Stress and Enhances Cholinergic Function in an Animal Model of Alcoholism

Currently, the therapeutic strategy against memory deficit induced by alcoholism is not satisfactory and is expensive. Therefore, an effective, low-cost strategy is required. On the basis of the memory-enhancing effect of stimulation of the HT7 acupoint, we aimed to determine whether acupuncture at the HT7 acupoint can reduce alcoholism-induced memory impairment. The possible underlying mechanism was also explored. Alcoholism was induced in male Wistar rats weighing 180–220 g. The alcoholic rats received either acupuncture at HT7 or sham acupuncture for 1 minute bilaterally once daily for 14 days. Their spatial memory was assessed after 1 day, 7 days, and 14 days of treatment. At the end of the study, the malondialdehyde level and the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and acetylcholinesterase enzymes in the hippocampus were determined using colorimetric assays. The results showed that acupuncture at HT7 significantly decreased the acetylcholinesterase activity and the malondialdehyde level, but increased the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in the hippocampus. These results suggest that acupuncture at HT7 can effectively reduce the alcoholism-induced memory deficit. However, further studies concerning the detailed relationships between the location of the HT7 acupoint and the changes in the observed parameters are required.

Aberrant histone acetylation promotes mitochondrial respiratory suppression in the brain of alcoholic rats.

The acetylation of histone proteins in the core of DNA regulates gene expression, including those affecting mitochondria. Both histone acetylation and mitochondrial deficit have been implicated in neuronal damage associated with drinking problems. Many alcoholics will repeat unsuccessful attempts at abstaining, developing a pattern of repeated drinking and withdrawal. We investigated whether aberrant histone acetylation contributes to mitochondrial and cellular damage induced by repeated ethanol withdrawal (EW). We also investigated whether this effect of histone acetylation involves let-7f, a small noncoding RNA (microRNA). Male rats received two cycles of an ethanol/control diet (7.5%, 4 weeks) and withdrawal. Their prefrontal cortex was collected to measure the mitochondrial respiration and histone acetylation using extracellular flux (XF) real-time respirometry and gold immunostaining, respectively. Separately, HT22 (mouse hippocampal) cells received two cycles of ethanol exposure (100 mM, 20 hours) and withdrawal. Trichostatin A (TSA) as a histone acetylation promoter and let-7f antagomir were applied during withdrawal. The mitochondrial respiration, let-7f level, and cell viability were assessed using XF respirometry, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, TaqMan let-7f primers, and a calcein-acetoxymethyl assay, respectively. Repeated ethanol withdrawn rats showed a more than 2-fold increase in histone acetylation, accompanied by mitochondrial respiratory suppression. EW-induced mitochondrial respiratory suppression was exacerbated by TSA treatment in a manner that was attenuated by let-7f antagomir cotreatment. TSA treatment did not alter the increasing effect of EW on the let-7f level but dramatically exacerbated the cell death induced by EW. These data suggest that the multiple episodes of withdrawal from chronic ethanol impede mitochondrial and cellular integrity through upregulating histone acetylation, independent of or additively with let-7f.

Peculiarities of death and regeneration of pancreas cells at early stages of alcoholic chronic pancreatitis

The study has been conducted on 39 white laboratory male rats which formed 5 groups: experimental occlusal pancreatitis caused by ligation of the main pancreatic duct (n = 6), experimental alcoholic pancreatitis caused by oral intake of alcohol (n = 6), against the background of an excess (n = 6) or deficiency (n = 6) of nitric oxide, as well as a control group (n = 15). This study provides the detailed description of the processes of death and regeneration in the islets of Langerhans, typical for early stages of the disease. The expression of the proliferation markers (PCNA and Neurogenin-3) has been analyzed using histological and immunohistochemical methods along with the changes of morphological structure, that led to initiation of the alcoholic chronic pancreatitis against the background of imbalance in NO-ergic regulatory system caused by an excess or deficiency of nitric oxide. It has been found that ligation of the pancreatic duct in the experiment reconstructedthe circumstances of chronic pancreatitis in rats and caused the activation of fibrosis and regeneration of endocrine and exocrine tissue. Compared with occlusion, the effects of ethanol on the pancreas also manifested in the activation of fibrogenesis, but the structural changes were negligible and could unlikely lead to advanced fibrosis and chronic pancreatitis in the future. On the other side, an imbalance of NO-system in alcoholic rats leads to disruption of the zymogens secretion in the acinar cells and dilatation of the capillary network in islets. Uneven distribution of zymogen granules may lead to their intracellular activation as evidenced by the deformation of acini and focal apoptosis without inflammatory response. In this case, violation of the key adaptive responses in the pancreas makes it more vulnerable to the effects of ethanol, its metabolites, and other environmental factors, and may increase the probability of chronic pancreatitis development. At the same time, forementioned process of cell death in the pancreas is considerably more prolonged, and long term course eliminates the activation of proliferation or functional tissue regeneration.

오미자농축액이 급성주정중독량 및 장기간 주정을 투여한 흰쥐의 혈중 알코올 분해율과 간 기능 보호에 미치는 영향

We investigated whether or not Schisandra chinensis (SC), a traditional herbal medicine, has protective effects against alcohol-induced fatty liver and blood alcohol clearance. Two tests focused on acute intoxication and chronic ethanol treatment were carried out. For the chronic ethanol treatment test, rats were fed ethanol by intragastric administration everyday for 8 weeks to induce alcoholic fatty liver. Ethanol treatment significantly increased blood alcohol concentration at 90 min after acute ethanol intoxication. Compared with the two ethanol-treated groups, rats administered ethanol along with SC extracts showed an approximately 13% increased blood alcohol clearance rate at 360 min. Chronic ethanol treatment significantly increased serum and hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels, and caused fatty degeneration of liver. Ethanol treatment also elevated the serum total-cholesterol (TC) level. However, after feeding of ethanol plus SC extracts, ethanol-induced elevation of hepatic TG levels reversed, whereas elevation of serum TG and TC levels was not observed after treatment with SC extracts. Ethanol treatment significantly increased γ-GT, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase activities after 8 weeks. Compared with the ethanol-fed group, rats administered ethanol plus SC extracts for 4 weeks showed attenuated fatty degeneration as well as decreased hepatic function test values. SC administration also significantly increased intracellular lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and reduced steatosis score and hepatic TG levels, as measured by biochemical and histolopathological analyses. Our results indicate that the protective effects of SC are accompanied by a significant decrease in hepatic TG levels, thereby suggesting SC has the ability to prevent ethanol-induced fatty liver, by reducing hepatic TG and enzyme levels in alcoholic rats.

Afobazole modifies the neurotoxic and genotoxic effects in rat prenatal alcoholization model.

Prenatal ethanol leads to the formation of a wide spectrum of neurotoxic injuries to the brain in embryos by day 20 of intrauterine development. High levels of DNA aberrations and apoptotic comets were detected in tissues of 13-day embryos and placentas of rats receiving 40% ethanol orally (4 ml/kg) during gestation. The increase in the levels of DNA aberrations and apoptotic comets in the embryonic and placental tissues of alcoholic rats on day 13 of gestation correlated with the emergence of morphological abnormalities of the brain in the embryos on day 20 of intrauterine development. Afobazole (antimutagen) in doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg reduced the genotoxic effects of ethanol in embryonic and placental tissues and the relevant neurotoxic involvement of the brain.