title: Mechanism of inhibition of granulopoiesis by ethanol.
abstract: The mechanism of inhibition of neutrophilic granulopoiesis by ethanol has not been well characterized. Possible mechanisms investigated include: (a) a direct toxic effect on the granulocyte-macrophage cluster-colony forming unit (CFU-GM), and/or (b) inhibition of production of CFU-GM proliferation stimulating factor activity (CSA) from T lymphocytes (T cells). Addition of as much as 600 mg% ethanol to T-cell- and monocyte-depleted light-density marrow (TMoDLDBM) cells from humans in soft agar cultures which were stimulated with an exogenous source of CSA did not inhibit the CFU-GM proliferation, suggesting that ethanol has no direct toxic effect on the CFU-GM. T cells obtained from the blood of normal humans were cultured in the presence of phytohemagglutinin with 100 to 600 mg% ethanol. Cell-free conditioned media (CM) from these cultures were tested for CSA concentration by their capacity to stimulate proliferation of CFU-GM from human TMoDLDBM or rat whole bone marrow cells. The results indicated that ethanol at a concentration greater than 100 mg% inhibited CSA production from T cells. There was no evidence for production of an inhibitor of CFU-GM proliferation from T cells in the presence of ethanol. These results suggest that the neutropenia which occurs in relation to alcohol abuse may in part be related to decreased CSA production from T cells.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D006410:Hematopoiesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003115:Colony-Stimulating Factors; D000431:Ethanol