ETHANOL EFFECT ON THE IONIC TRANSFER THROUGH ISOLATED HUMAN AMNION .2. CELLULAR TARGETS OF THE IN-VITRO ACUTE ETHANOL ACTION AND OF THE ANTAGONISM BETWEEN MAGNESIUM, TAURINE AND ETHANOL

The ultrastructure of the human amniotic membrane from normal pregnanc ies at term, was studied by transmission electron microscopy. The resu lts were analysed by a stereological method which indicates the ratio between the area of intercellular spaces (R1), microvilli (R2) and pod ocytes (R3) versus the cell area. Addition of ethanol (0.4 g/l) in the external medium decreased R1 and R3 and had no significant effect on R2. Ethanol reduced intercellular space and podocyte exchange surface. Two mM MgCl2 or 2 mM taurine restored R1 and R3 to normal values. The cellular targets of the antagonism between Mg, taurine and ethanol ar e particularly intercellular spaces and podocytes.