METABOLIC CHANGES IN THE RAT-BRAIN AFTER ACUTE AND CHRONIC ETHANOL INTOXICATION - A P-31 NMR-SPECTROSCOPY STUDY

In this work, P-31 phosphorus NMR (P-31 NMR) studies of the brain have been conducted in rats acutely and chronically intoxicated with ethan ol. In both groups, changes in levels of high-energy phosphates were o bserved: increase of phosphocreatinine (PCr)/beta AaTP and PCr/inorgan ic phosphate (P(i)) in acute and long-term ethanol exposure, and decre ase of P(i)/beta ATP after acute ethanol administration. These changes in high-energy phosphates, indicative of a reduction of adenosine tri phosphate (ATP) and PCr consumption (PCr+ ADP+ H+ ATP + Cr; ATP ADP P(i)), suggest a reduction of cerebral metabolism both in acute and ch ronic ethanol exposure. In addition, in the group of rats chronically intoxicated with ethanol, there were variations in phosphodiester peak intensities (decrease of phosphomonoester (PME)/phosphodiester (PDE), increase of PDE/beta ATP), suggesting increased breakdown of membrane phospholipids. These changes could provide a metabolic explanation fo r the development of cerebral atrophy in chronic alcoholism.