Embryonic exposure to exogenous alpha- and gamma-tocopherol partially attenuates ethanol-induced changes in brain morphology and brain membrane fatty acid composition.
Previous studies demonstrated that embryonic exposure to ethanol (EtOH) promoted a reduction in brain mass, a reduction in brain neuron densities, and a reduction in membrane long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in embryonic chick brains. These EtOH-induced reductions in brain membrane PUFAs may be the result of lipid peroxidation because embryonic exposure to exogenous alpha- or gamma-tocopherol partially attenuated EtOH-induced reductions in membrane PUFAs. In this paper, we report that embryonic exposure to exogenous alpha- or gamma-tocopherol attenuated EtOH-induced decreases in endogenous levels of alpha-tocopherol in both embryonic chick brains and liver. Embryonic exposure to exogenous alpha- or gamma-tocopherol also partially attenuated EtOH-induced reductions in brain neuron densities within the cerebral hemispheres of embryonic chick brains. Finally, embryonic exposure to exogenous alpha- or gamma-tocopherol also partially attenuated EtOH-induced reductions in long-chain PUFAs in 2-day old neonatal chick brains.
Miller
Robert R
RR
Hillsdale College, Biology Department, 33 E. College Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242-1205, USA. bob.miller@hillsdale.edu
Olson
Bethany M
BM
Rorick
Nicholas
N
Wittingen
Andrea L
AL
Bullock
Mark
M
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry*; D002642:Chick Embryo; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D005227:Fatty Acids; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D000431:Ethanol; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol; D053148:Caspase 3; D020169:Caspases; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol