title: The effect of nicotinic acid and alcohol co-administration in Wistar rats.
abstract: The effects of co-administration of nicotinic acid (NA) and alcohol (Alc) on liver function in male Wistar rats were evaluated. The rats were randomized into five groups: (i) Olive oil (Oil), (ii) Alc+Oil, (iii) NA+Oil, (iv) NA+Alc+Oil, and (v) Controls (fed only normal rat chow). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP), total cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) were measured. Liver histopathology was also assessed. The Alc+Oil group had higher TG levels compared with the NA+Alc+Oil group and all other groups, as well. NA+Oil group had higher levels of AP compared with Alc+Oil and Oil groups. The NA+Oil group had higher ALT levels compared with the Oil group. The Oil group had lower ALT levels compared with the control group. The Alc+Oil group had higher AST levels compared with the NA+Alc+Oil group, as well as with all other groups. Liver histopathology was within the normal range. A moderate amount of Alc daily together with NA is safe in rats. The NA and Alc co-administration reduces the TG and AST levels in rats, compared with the administration of Alc alone.
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Department, Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, Greece. Genkolovou@mail.gr
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Kolovou
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mikhailidis
authors.forename: E N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Adamopoulou
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Salpea
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kafaltis
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Bilianou
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malakos
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Pilatis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mykoniatis
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Cokkinos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D009525:Niacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; D009525:Niacin; D000431:Ethanol