title: Acetaldehyde cytotoxicity in cultured rat astrocytes.
abstract: The effect of acetaldehyde on astrocytes have been investigated because not only do they play an important role in brain maturation but also recent reports have shown their delayed proliferation following both 'in vivo' and 'in vitro' ethanol exposure. Biochemical parameters related to apoptotic and necrotic processes were examined in primary cultures of rat astrocytes exposed for 4 days to acetaldehyde generated from ethanol by co-cultured alcohol dehydrogenase-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells. Acetaldehyde levels in the culture media attained concentrations of approximately 450 microM. To study ethanol effects, alcohol oxidation was inhibited by 4-methylpyrazole (an inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase). Acetaldehyde but not ethanol increased intracellular calcium levels by 155%. Moreover, significant DNA fragmentation was detected using a random oligonucleotide primed synthesis assay, by flow cytometry and when using agar gel electrophoresis. Transglutaminase activity was elevated in the cells treated with acetaldehyde but when acetaldehyde formation was inhibited by 4-methylpyrazole the enzyme activity was unaffected. Nitrate levels in the culture media were unchanged. Additionally, microscopic examination of cell nuclei revealed chromatin condensation in astrocytes exposed to acetaldehyde. It can be concluded, that in 'in vitro' acetaldehyde exposed rat astrocytes apoptotic pathways are activated.
authors.affiliation: Medical Academy of Bialystok, Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Ludwik Zamenhof Children's Hospital, J. Waszyngtona 17, 15-274, Bialystok, Poland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holownia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ledig
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Braszko
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ménez
mesh_terms: D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000633:toxicity*; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology; D016466:CHO Cells; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D006224:Cricetinae; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D047630:Depsipeptides; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015870:Gene Expression; D009573:Nitrites / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides; D051381:Rats; D014162:Transfection; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D003470:Culture Media; D047630:Depsipeptides; D009573:Nitrites; D010455:Peptides; C004456:beauvericin; D000431:Ethanol; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase; D011503:Transglutaminases; D000079:Acetaldehyde; D002118:Calcium