PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF LIV-52 ON ALCOHOL-INDUCED FETOTOXICITY

The adverse effects of maternal alcohol consumption on the development of the fetus are well known. The adverse effects of ethanol on the li ver are now believed to be due to acetaldehyde formed as an intermedia te metabolite of ethanol. Liv.52 has been shown to bring about faster elimination of acetaldehyde from the body and thus prevent alcoholic l iver damage. Other toxic effects of alcohol may also be due to acetald ehyde and may be prevented by Liv.52. In this study, rats were given 2 0% (v/v) ethanol in drinking water, during the gestation period, and t he effect on maternal body weight and fetal outcome was noted. The pro tective effect of Liv.52 administration during the gestation period wa s studied. The results show that ethanol ingestion caused a decrease i n gestational weight gain, total fetal weight, and number of live fetu ses. There were increases in resorptions. Liv.52 administration reduce d the deleterious effects of ethanol. The concentration of acetaldehyd e in the amniotic fluid of ethanol-consuming animals was 0.727 mug/ml. Liv.52 administration lowered it to 0.244 mug/ml. The protective effe ct of Liv.52 could be due to the rapid elimination of acetaldehyde.