EFFECTS OF ETHANOL ON CULTURED FETAL ASTROGLIA

This study investigated the effects of a 4-day ethanol exposure on cul tured rhombencephalic astroglia. The contents of astroglial protein an d DNA, and astroglial uptake of serotonin (5-HT) were determined. Feta l rhombencephalic astroglia were examined because of this laboratory's evidence that in utero ethanol exposure markedly impairs the developm ent of serotonergic neurons, which are located in this fetal brain are a, and because of the recently demonstrated importance of local suppor t glia in neuronal development. The results of these experiments demon strated that protein was significantly reduced in astroglia cultured i n ethanol at either 150 or 300 mg/dl. In addition, these astroglia exh ibited decreased [H-3]5-HT uptake per well. However, no significant et hanol-associated differences were detected when [H-3]5-HT uptake was e xpressed per mg protein rather than per well. In contrast to the effec ts of a 4-day ethanol exposure, the acute ethanol exposure did not sig nificantly alter astroglial uptake of [H-3]5-HT/well. In addition, the 4-day exposure to 50 to 300 mg/dl of ethanol did not significantly al ter astroglial DNA content. In summary, it appears that a 4-day exposu re of cultured fetal rhombencephalic astroglia to 150 to 300 mg/dl of ethanol reduces astroglial protein content and astroglial 5-HT uptake. A reduction in total astroglial proteins, potentially including those that act as essential growth factors, could contribute to some of the ethanol-associated alterations in central nervous system development.