Immunohistochemical study on acetaldehyde adducts in alcohol-fed mice

Background: Acetaldehyde binds to some proteins, which results in Schiff ba se formation. It is assumed that acetaldehyde binds to the proteins after t he consumption of ethanol, to form an adduct. Such acetaldehyde adducts are related to organ disease. Methods: We examined 8-week-old male BALB/c mice, which were given a liquid diet for 7 days. The diet consisted of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, an d a 5% (v/v) ethanol solution. After the 7 days, we took tissue samples fro m the brain, liver, and adrenal cortex to investigate the distribution of a cetaldehyde adducts. We performed immunohistochemical staining of the cereb ral cortex, liver, and adrenal cortex from the mice by using antibodies aga inst acetaldehyde adducts. Results: Our study showed that acetaldehyde adducts formed in the cerebral cortex in the early phase in alcohol-fed mice. Conclusions: Because acetaldehyde in the liver has been shown to cause live r damage, our study suggests a relationship between acetaldehyde adducts in the brain and brain damage.