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Comparative Effects of Chronic Ethanol and Acetaldehyde Exposure on Myocardial Function in Rats
Author(s) -
WEISHAAR RONALD,
BERTUGLIA SILVIA,
ASHIKAWA KOUICHI,
SARMA J. S. M.,
BING RICHARD J.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
the journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.92
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1552-4604
pISSN - 0091-2700
DOI - 10.1002/j.1552-4604.1978.tb02453.x
Subject(s) - acetaldehyde , ethanol , pharmacology , medicine , chemistry , cardiology , biochemistry
This study was conducted to compare separately the chronic effects of high blood levels of ethanol and acetaldehyde on the metabolism of the heart. Levels of ethanol and acetaldehyde were altered by administration of either 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP), a potent alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor, or pargyline (PAR), a monoamine oxidase inhibitor that markedly increases acetaldehyde levels in the blood following ethanol administration. Measurements were made in rats consuming ethanol for three to four weeks. Mitochondrial respiration, in vitro contractility of glycerinated heart muscle fibers, and myocardial protein synthesis were determined. As compared to animals receiving only ethanol, administration of either-4-methyl-pyrazole or pargyline plus ethanol resulted in more severe damage to mitochondrial respiration and myocardial protein synthesis. The data illustrate that both acetaldehyde and ethanol in high concentrations can cause severe damage to myocardial metabolism.