Alcohol tolerance in a cholinergic nerve terminal: relation to the membrane expansion-fluidization theory of ethanol action.
Phrenic nerve terminals from rats subjected to long-term ethanol treatment were more resistant to ethanol (in vitro) than terminals from sucrose-fed rats, as measured by the effect of ethanol on the frequency of miniature end plate potentials. Long-term ethanol exposure may thus induce the synthesis of more rigid membrane lipids, reducing membrane "fluidizability". This may provide a neurocellular basis for ethanol tolerance and cross-tolerance with anesthetics and barbiturates.
D000818:Animals; D002799:Cholinergic Fibers / Q000187:drug effects; D003964:Diaphragm; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009045:Motor Endplate / Q000187:drug effects; D009411:Nerve Endings / Q000187:drug effects; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects*; D010791:Phrenic Nerve; D051381:Rats; D013570:Synaptic Membranes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D000431:Ethanol