FREE-RADICAL PRODUCTION AFTER EXPOSURE OF ASTROCYTES AND ASTROCYTIC C6 GLIOMA-CELLS TO ETHANOL - PRELIMINARY-RESULTS

Formation of the alpha-hydroxyethyl radical (CH3 degrees CHOH) has alr eady been extensively demonstrated after ethanol metabolism in the liv er. Despite favourable conditions, this formation in the brain has rem ained speculative since there is no direct experimental evidence in in tact brain cells. In this preliminary study, the formation of such a r adical was observed after exposure of astrocytes and astrocytic C6 gli oma cells to ethanol. These cells were studied because astrocyte integ rity is essential for normal growth and functioning of neurons. The fr ee radicals were detected by EPR spectroscopy using the spin trapping technique. Astrocytes appeared to be more sensitive than the C6 cells to free radical formation as the intensity of the signal was higher af ter exposure of the astrocytes and increased with time, a fact not obs erved after exposure of the C6 cells.