Antioxidants prevent depletion of [Mg2+](i) induced by alcohol in culturedcanine cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells: Possible, relationship to alcohol-induced stroke

Low serum concentrations of Mg2+ ions have been reported, recently, in pati ents with coronary disease, atherosclerosis, and stroke as well as in patie nts with cerebral hemorrhage. The aim of the present study was to determine whether potent antioxidants [alpha -tocopherol and pyrrolidine dithiocarba mate (PDTC)] can prevent or ameliorate intracellular Mg2+ ([Mg2+](i)) deple tion associated with cerebral vascular injury induced by alcohol. Exposure of cultured canine cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells to alcohol (10-100 mM) for 24 h induced marked depletion in [Mg2+](i) (i.e., similar to 30-65 %, depending upon alcohol concentration). Treatment of the cultured cells w ith either PDTC (0.1 muM) or alpha -tocopherol (15 muM) for 24 h, alone, fa iled to interfere with basal [Mg2+](i) levels. However, preincubation of th e cells with either alpha -tocopherol or PDTC; for 24 h completely inhibite d the depletion of [Mg2+](i) induced by exposure to 10-100 mM ethanol. Thes e results indicate that alpha -tocopherol and PDTC prevent decreases in [Mg 2+](i) produced by ethanol. Moreover, these new results suggest that such p rotective effects of alpha -tocopherol and PDTC on cerebral vascular cells might be useful therapeutic tools in prevention and amelioration of cerebra l vascular injury and stroke in alcoholics. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc.