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Prolonged Exposure to Alcohol Vapor Causes Change in Cardiovascular Function in Female but not in Male Rats
Author(s) -
Bianchi Paula Cristina,
Costa Ferreira Willian,
Antonagi Engi Sheila,
Palombo Paola,
Carneiro de Oliveira Paulo Eduardo,
Gomes de Souza Lucas,
Crestani Carlos César,
Costa José Luiz,
da Silva Planeta Cleopatra,
Molini Leão Rodrigo,
Cardoso Cruz Fabio
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/acer.14035
Subject(s) - alcohol , physiology , medicine , endocrinology , toxicology , biology , biochemistry
Background Alcohol abuse is a health concern worldwide. Studies have associated alcohol abuse with cardiovascular impairments. In this study, we investigated differences in the effects of chronic alcohol vapor exposure on cardiovascular function between male and female rats by using the alcohol vapor chamber method to induce alcohol addiction‐like behaviors in rats. Methods We exposed male and female Long‐Evans rats to alcohol vapor for 14 hours, followed by ethanol withdrawal for 10 hours, for 30 consecutive days or room air (control groups). The animals underwent preparation for the surgical implantation of cannulas into femoral vessels, for allowing the assessment of the basal arterial pressure and heart rate values, baroreflex function, and autonomic activity. Results Female control rats showed higher basal heart rate compared to male control rats. Chronic alcohol vapor inhalation reduced basal heart rate in females, but not in males; this effect was followed by an increase in the parasympathetic tone of the heart. Further, female rats subjected to alcohol vapor showed an increase in the baroreflex activity. Conclusions These findings suggest that females are more sensitive to chronic alcohol vapor exposure than males because they had a reduction in basal heart rate and changes in the baroreflex activity.