[Contractile function, glucose consumption and lactate release by the isolated rat heart during different regimens of alcohol administration and after discontinuation of ethanol]

Abstract

Acute or chronic intoxication of rats with ethanol (intragastric administration at a dose of 8 g/kg or free-choice drinking of 10% ethanol for 3 months) produced no significant changes in contractile function, glycogen content, glucose uptake and lactate release in isolated hearts. Withdrawal syndrome simulated in rats following a short period of severe intoxication with ethanol at a dose of 4-5 g/kg twice daily has demonstrated a 15 and 28% decrease in peak systolic pressure and tension time index, respectively. In this case glucose uptake and lactate release were 2 times higher. Changes in glycogen level were observed three days after the last ethanol administration. The rats, survived after the abstinence period, revealed areas of perivascular myocardial necrosis. It is concluded that withdrawal syndrome plays an important role in pathogenesis of alcoholic cardiomyopathy.