INHIBITION OF PLATELET-AGGREGATION IN WHOLE-BLOOD AFTER EXPOSURE OF RATS TO ALCOHOL BY INHALATION

The dose-effect relationship between blood alcohol concentration (BAG) and altered platelet function was examined in whole blood in a rat mo del of alcohol exposure by inhalation, using the impedance method of e x vivo whole blood platelet aggregation. With rates of alcohol additio n to the chamber air inflow from 29 to 56 mg ethanoyl/l air/min, BAC w as dependent on duration of exposure and concentration of alcohol in t he air. Next, 3, 6, and 9 h exposures to the highest delivery rate wer e used, and platelet aggregability was tested. After 9 h, BAC reached 453 +/- 16 mg% and aggregation responses to three doses of collagen we re significantly lower than in control blood (p < 0.01). Less consiste nt inhibition was observed with arachidonic acid and ADP, and also whe n exposure duration was reduced. However, some significant inhibition of collagen-induced aggregation (p < 0.05) was observed with BAC as lo w as 127 +/- 15 mg%. These experiments demonstrate that in vivo alcoho l exposure inhibits, in a concentration-dependent manner, ex vivo rat whole blood platelet aggregation, at BACs readily attained in humans b y ingestion. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.