Cl. Randall et Jl. Saulnier, EFFECT OF ETHANOL ON PROSTACYCLIN, THROMBOXANE, AND PROSTAGLANDIN-E PRODUCTION IN HUMAN UMBILICAL VEINS, Alcoholism, clinical and experimental research, 19(3), 1995, pp. 741-746
The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of ethanol on p
rostacyclin (PGI(2)), prostaglandin E (PGE), and thromboxane (TXA(2))
production in perfused human umbilical veins. PGI(2), PGE, and TXA(2)
levels were measured from human umbilical veins perfused with either 2
5, 50, or 100 mM ethanol by radioimmunoassay of their stable metabolit
es. Alcohol content was measured by an enzymatic spectrophotometric as
say. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Fisher's Protected Least Signific
ant Difference Test. Ethanol decreased PGI(2) production in a concentr
ation-dependent manner (p < 0.05). In a concentration of 25 mM, ethano
l did not affect PGI(2) production, whereas 50 mM decreased levels aft
er 60 min of perfusion (p < 0.01). With 100 mM ethanol, PGI(2) product
ion was decreased after 15, 30, and 60 min of perfusion (ps < 0.05), a
nd the TXA(2)/PGI(2) ratio was significantly elevated at all time poin
ts (p < 0.01). Ethanol (100 mM) did not affect TXA(2) or PGE productio
n. Reduction of PGI(2) levels and the increase in the TXA(2)/PGI(2) ra
tio seen after ethanol perfusion in umbilical veins may cause vascular
disruption in the umbilical-placental circulation. This may, in part,
be a contributing mechanism to the teratogenic effects of ethanol.