THE INFLUENCE OF BRAIN ACETALDEHYDE ON OXIDATIVE STATUS, DOPAMINE METABOLISM AND VISUAL-DISCRIMINATION TASK

The toxic effect of acetaldehyde on brain oxidative capacity and dopam ine metabolism has been investigated in rat brains after a single intr aperitoneal injection of acetaldehyde (5 mmol/kg) and the results comp ared with those from chronically ethanol fed rats. Acetaldehyde was pr esent in rat brain 120 hr after a single dose of acetaldehyde, confirm ing that it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Brain catalase i ncreased significantly after acetaldehyde or chronic ethanol administr ation although there were no other significant changes in the total br ain activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase or glutat hione reductase. Dopamine turnover was increased in both experimental groups. The acute dose of acetaldehyde reduced the ability of the rats to relearn a computer visual discrimination task.