ETHANOL-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS AND MEMBRANE INJURY IN RAT ERYTHROCYTES

The aim of this study was to observe membrane injury and to investigat e the mechanism of antioxidant defence systems against acute ethanol t oxicity. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and Na+, K+-ATPase activitie s were significantly decreased and catalase levels were significantly increased one hour after ethanol intoxication of male swiss albino rat s. These data demonstrated that superoxide dismutase and catalase are susceptible to lipid peroxidation and that these enzymes protect tissu es from free radicals. The possible mechanism involved in Na+ K+-ATPas e and Ca2+-ATPase inhibition are discussed in relation to the developm ent of ethanol toxicity and the role of lipid peroxidative processes.