V. Gupta et Kd. Gill, Lead and ethanol coexposure: Implications on the dopaminergic system and associated behavioral functions, PHARM BIO B, 66(3), 2000, pp. 465-474
The present investigation involves ethanol's effects on the lead-induced al
terations in the dopaminergic system. Ethanol, at a dose of 3 g/kg body wei
ght for 8 weeks, resulted in a marked increase in the accumulation of lead
in the blood and brain of animals receiving 50 mg lead/kg body weight. Leve
ls of dopamine were found to decrease significantly, and were accompanied w
ith increased norepinephrine levels in lead and ethanol coexposed animals.
Uptake of tyrosine as well as the activities of tyrosine hydroxylase and mo
noamine oxidase were seen to increase significantly in lead as well as etha
nol-treated animals, and these were increased to a greater extent when anim
als were administered lead and ethanol simultaneously. Dopamine receptor bi
nding studies revealed a significant elevation in the number of binding sit
es in lead and ethanol-coexposed animals. The altered dopaminergic function
s were reflected by the neurobehavioral deficits in terms of motor incoordi
nation, aggressiveness, and hyperactivity of animals exposed to lead, the e
ffect being more pronounced in lead- and ethanol-coexposed animals. In brie
f, results of this study suggests that ethanol potentiates lead-induced cel
lular damage at the neurochemical and neurobehavioral level. (C) 2000 Elsev
ier Science Inc.