EFFECTS OF CHRONIC ETHANOL EXPOSURE ON CULTURED CEREBELLAR GRANULE CELLS

The aim of this study was to investigate the lipid content and composi tion of rat cerebellar granule cells grown in the presence of ethanol (40, 55, or 80 mM) during in vitro differentiation. Quantitative analy ses showed no effects of 40 mM ethanol, whereas a significant increase of total cholesterol was observed at 55 mM. Cells exposed to the high est ethanol dose (80 mM) were characterized by a higher sialidase acti vity, and by the modification of the ganglioside pattern and phospholi pid fatty acid composition. The observed modifications were accompanie d by changes of membrane anisotropy fluorescence assessed by the fluor escent probe 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene.