REDUCTION OF FATTY-ACID ETHYL-ESTER ACCUMULATION BY GANGLIOSIDE GM1 IN RAT FETUS EXPOSED TO ETHANOL

The biochemical mechanism of alcohol teratogenicity is not known. We h ave demonstrated that alcohol administration to pregnant rats during g estation days (GD) 6 and 7 and/or 13 and 14 leads to significant accum ulation of ethyl esters of long chain fatty acids (FAEEs) in both mate rnal and fetal organs. This observation extends the report of Bearer e t al. (Pediat Res 31: 492-495, 1992) who detected the presence of meta bolites in maternal and fetal organs of pregnant C57Bl/6J mice exposed to alcohol on GD 7 and/or GD 14. The ethyl esters of arachidonic, lin oleic, oleic, stearic and palmitic acids were major metabolites detect ed in both maternal and fetal organs. It was also demonstrated that de tectable levels of FAEEs remain 14 days (GD 20) after initial exposure to alcohol on GD 7. Ganglioside GM1 treatment 1 and 24 hr prior to al cohol exposure on both GD 7 and/or GD 14 reduced the accumulation of F AEEs. A similar regimen was shown to prevent development of tolerance to alcohol in the adult pups exposed to alcohol in utero in our previo us studies. Thus, the ganglioside GM1 may have therapeutic value in re ducing neurobehavioral effects of alcohol exposure in utero.