Alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol attenuate ethanol-induced changes in membrane fatty acid composition in embryonic chick brains.
BACKGROUND
This project investigated whether or not EtOH-induced reductions in the levels of long-chain polyunsaturated membrane fatty acids could be attenuated by exogenous exposure to either alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, or diallyl sulfide (DAS).


METHODS
At 0 days of development, fertile chicken eggs were injected with a single dose of either saline supplemented with various concentrations of EtOH, alpha- or gamma-tocopherol and EtOH, or DAS and EtOH. At 18 days of development, brains were isolated and subjected to membrane analyses.


RESULTS
When exposed to EtOH, concentrations ranging from 0-60.50 microm/Kg egg, dose-dependent decreases in the levels of brain 18:0, 18:1 (n-9), 18:2 (n-6), 18:3 (n-3), and 20:4 (n-6) were observed. These ethanol-induced changes in membrane fatty acid composition correlated with ethanol-induced reductions in brain mass, brain protein levels, acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activities and correlated with increased lipid hydroperoxide levels. Exposure to either 2.5 microm alpha-tocopherol/Kg egg and 6.050 mm EtOH/Kg egg, or 2.5 microm alpha-tocopherol/ Kg egg and 6.050 mm EtOH/Kg egg attenuated EtOH-induced changes in membrane fatty acid composition, brain mass, brain protein levels, AChE activities, and lipid hydroperoxide levels. Embryonic exposure to the cytochrome p450-2E1 inhibitor, diallyl sulfide (DAS), also attenuated EtOH-induced decreases in long-chain, unsaturated membrane fatty acids. However, embryonic exposure to DAS promoted abnormally low brain mass.


CONCLUSIONS
EtOH-induced reductions in the levels of brain long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid are caused by lipid peroxidation.
Miller
R R
RR
Biology Department, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Michigan 49242-1205, USA. bob.miller@hillsdale.edu
Slathar
J R
JR
Luvisotto
M L
ML
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000498:Allyl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D013440:Sulfides / Q000494:pharmacology; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000498:Allyl Compounds; D000975:Antioxidants; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D013440:Sulfides; D014810:Vitamin E; D000431:Ethanol; C038491:allyl sulfide; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase