Brain mitochondrial alterations after chronic alcohol consumption.
The aim of this study was to demonstrate the existence of alterations in glutathione and cholesterol homeostasis in brain mitochondria from alcoholic rats. Glutathione concentration decreased, whereas oxidized glutathione and cholesterol contents increased in these organelles, suggesting the ethanol-induced generation of reactive oxygen species, and the impairment of mitochondrial uptake of glutathione, possibly due to the increase in cholesterol deposition. The release of apoptogenic proteins was increased after stimulating mitochondria from the brain of alcoholic rats with atractyloside. As a conclusion, chronic alcohol consumption might sensitize brain mitochondria to apoptotic stimuli, and promote the subsequent release of apoptotic proteins.
Almansa
I
I
Instituto sobre Drogas y Conductas Adictivas, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, 46113 Moncada, Valencia.
Fernández
A
A
García-Ruiz
C
C
Muriach
M
M
Barcia
J M
JM
Miranda
M
M
Fernández-Checa
J C
JC
Romero
F J
FJ
D000437:Alcoholism / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism*; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide / Q000378:metabolism*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; C489013:DIABLO protein, rat; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D000431:Ethanol; D045304:Cytochromes c; D002784:Cholesterol; D005978:Glutathione; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide