Long-term ethanol administration enhances age-dependent modulation of redox state in brain and peripheral organs of rat: protection by acetyl carnitine

Abstract

Evidence is accumulating that intermediates of oxygen reduction may be associated with the development of alcoholic disease. Free radical-induced perturbation of the oxidant/antioxidant balance in the cell is widely recognized as the main causative factor of age-related disorders. In the present study we investigated the effects of 20 months of ethanol consumption on the antioxidant defense system in different rat organs compared with normal aging in the absence and presence of treatment with L-acetyl carnitine. We demonstrate that aged rats underwent significant perturbation of the antioxidant defense system, as indicated by depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) content, increased oxidized GSH, free radical-induced luminescence associated with increased hydroxynonenal content and decreased GSH reductase activity. These modifications, observed particularly in brain and liver compared with other organs, were enhanced by long-term alcohol exposure and, interestingly, were significantly reduced with acetyl carnitine supplements. Our results indicate that decreased GSH reductase activity and thiol depletion are important factors in effecting a pathogenic role for oxidative stress in aging and in all situations in which age-correlated and oxidant-induced changes occur, such as in alcoholism. Administration of acetyl carnitine greatly reduces these metabolic abnormalities. Our findings support its pharmacological potential in the management of alcoholic disturbances.