Effects of low-dose ethanol on rat progeny upon inhalation exposure during gestation

Effects of ethanol in low concentrations on the course of pregnancy in rats and the development and metabolic characteristics of their progeny are studied: the morphology and function of pathological shifts are assessed and the level of endogenous ethanol in the blood and acetylcholinesterase activity in erythrocyte membranes measured. Inhalation exposure to ethanol is found to retard the development of the progeny. The consumption of ethanol by the progeny in the experimental group was 1.5 times higher than in the control. The results indicate that even trace amounts of ethanol in the atmosphere are toxic for the organism. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 121, N ^o 3, pp. 265–267, March, 1996 Presented by I. P. Ashmarin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Neurophysiological changes in the frog taste nerve responses induced by chronic ethanol injection

Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 116, N ^o 10, pp. 345–347, October, 1993     

Effect of ethanol consumption on the expression of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene in rat brain and adrenals

After chronic alcoholization for 9 months with increased doses of ethanol, the tyrosine hydroxylase gene in the brain and adrenals of rats is expressed at different levels depending on the intensity of the desire for alcohol. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 7, pp. 63–65, July, 1997     

Activity of detoxication enzymes in rat hepatoma 27 transplanted in different organs

Activities of enzymes of active oxygen forms detoxication and phase II xenobiotic metabolism were measured in rat hepatoma 27 cells transplanted to different organs. Activity of phase II xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes was higher in hepatoma cells growing subcutaneously than in those transplanted into the liver, while activity of active oxygen forms detoxication enzymes (except catalase) was higher in cells transplanted into the liver. Benz(a)pyrene induced the enzyme activities in hepatoma growing both subcutaneously and in the liver. Translated fromByulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 11, pp. 577–580, November, 2000     

Metabolism in perfused rat lived at different terms after short-term hyperthermia

The metabolic state of rat liver was studiedin vivo 1, 6, and 18 h after single hyperthermia (42°C). It was shown that intracellular compensatory reactions involved in restoration of the energy state and realization of endogenous cytoprotective mechanisms play a role during recovery. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 129, No. 4, pp. 414–416, April, 2000     

Demonstration of soluble immune complexes in biopsy tissues

The percentage of immune complexes revealed in the intercellular adhesive substance of the epidermis in acantholytic pemphigus was raised to 100% after cryostat sections of biopsy tissues were pretreated with 30–50% ethanol. Immune complexes were also found in all cases of the benign familial chronic pemphigus (Hailey-Hailey disease). It is suggested that 30–50% ethanol can gently denature the proteins and stabilize the bonds between antibody and antigen in the case of a weak affinity of antibodies, and can cause soluble immune complexes to aggregate into larger protein conglomerates, which prevents them from being flushed out of the tissues. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120, № 11, pp. 545–547, November, 1995 Presented by V. I. Shumakov, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Antenatal effects of ethanol and limontar on lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant defense system in the brain and liver of rat progeny

In contrast to short-term exposure, prolonged exposure to ethanol in the anternatal period is found to inhibit lipid peroxidation in the brain and liver of rats. Activation of the system of antioxidant defense in the brain and liver is observed after both short-and long-term exposure to ethanol. After short-term ethanol exposure, limontar normalizes lipid peroxidation. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noii Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 117, N ^o 1, pp. 41–44, January, 1994 Presented by M. Ya. Studenikin, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences     

Stage-specific sensitivity of rat embryogenesis to ethanol injected into the amnion and via other routes

Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 116, N ^o 7, pp. 70–72, July, 1993     

Changes in neurons of the caudate nucleus in experimental alcoholism

Reversible changes in caudate neurons and their dendrites in line with the components of compensatory reaction in oligodendrocytes are observed in rats during the first 3 weeks of a 12-month alcoholization period. After 2–4 months of alcoholization (the development of dependency), degenerative changes occur in caudate neurons and their dendrites system were evident. By the end of the 12-month period of alcohol intoxication, intensified deafferentation of the dendritic system was observed, suggesting functional insufficiency of the caudate nucleus. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 7, pp. 66–69, July, 1997     

Effect of ethanol on uterotropic action of estrogens

Female rats aging 3 months at the beginning of experiments received 5 or 15% ethanol and then were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy 2 weeks before end of the experiment. During the last 11 days they were daily injected intramuscularly with 2 μg estradiol. Drinking of 5% ethanol combined with injections of estrogens induced DNA damage in the uterus detected by comet assay and abolished induction of progesterone receptors, changes in peroxidase activity, proliferation index, endometrium thickness, and other indices reflecting the hormonal effect of estradiol on the uterus. Drinking of 15% ethanol was accompanied by an increase in DNA-damaging effects of estrogens and a decrease in their hormonal uterotropic effects. It is concluded that unlike tobacco smoking, drinking of moderate ethanol concentrations modifies primarily genotoxic, but not the hormonal effect of estrogens. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 10, pp. 426–428, October, 2000     

Effects of ethanol and acetaldehyde on isolated nerve ending membranes: Study by atomic-forced microscopy

A new method of fixation of native synaptosomes and synaptosomal membranes from rat striatum was applied for their visualization by atomic-force microscopy. A scheme for examination of the surface of biological material was developed, which helps to distinguish intact synaptosomes from washed synaptic membranes and evaluate damage to synaptic membrane surface caused by ethanol (25 mM) and acetaldehyde (50 μM). The proposed method can be used for evaluation of the damaging effects of ethanol and acetaldehyde on neurons. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 9, pp. 356–359, September, 2000     

Comparative morphofunctional study of liver acini in peritonitis of different origin

Structural and metabolic characteristics of liver acini are studied in the peritonitis patients. In peritonitis, changes in the activities of hepatocyte dehydrogenases in different acinus zones depend on its causes. The entry of gram-negative bacteria lipopolysaccharides into portal blood flow and liver is an important factor in the pathogenesis of progressing hepatic failure. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 126, No. 10, pp. 464–466, October, 1998     

Effects of ethanol and acetaldehyde on isolated nerve ending membranes: Study by atomic-forced microscopy

A new method of fixation of native synaptosomes and synaptosomal membranes from rat striatum was applied for their visualization by atomic-force microscopy. A scheme for examination of the surface of biological material was developed, which helps to distinguish intact synaptosomes from washed synaptic membranes and evaluate damage to synaptic membrane surface caused by ethanol (25 mM) and acetaldehyde (50 μM). The proposed method can be used for evaluation of the damaging effects of ethanol and acetaldehyde on neurons. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 130, No. 9, pp. 356–359, September, 2000     

Differential blood count and activity of lymphocytic dehydrogenases in rats with genetically different neuroendocrine status

Differential blood count and activity of lymphocytic dehydrogenases are studied in rats genetically liable to catalepsy and in Wistar rats. The activity of lymphocytic dehydrogenases is decreased, sex differences in activities of the studied enzymes leveled, and absolute counts of peripheral blood lymphocytes are decreased in rats liable to catalepsy. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 124, No. 5, pp. 555–557, May, 1998     

Ultrastructural reorganizations of synaptic contacts in an organotypic culture of the brain cortex in the presence of ethanol

The effect of various ethanol concentrations (0.5 and 1%) on the ultrastructure of interneouronal contacts is studied in an organotypic culture of the brain cortex from newborn rats. It is shown that ethanol in the culture medium causes geometric complications in the synaptic contacts. Morphometric analysis of synapses reveals an increase of the area and perimeter of axon terminals and of the length of the active zone of the contact, as well as a decrease of the coefficient determined by the ratio of the number of synaptic vesicles to the length of the active zone of the contact. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 120 N ^o 7, pp. 99–102, July, 1995 Presented by V. Ya. Semke, Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.     

Effect of chronic carbon tetrachloride poisoning on the turnover of RNA fractions in rat liver tissue

Changes in the content and incorporation of 5-³H-uridine after brief exposure to its labeled precursor were studied in the individual liver RNA fractions of rats during administration of carbon tetrachloride for 24 weeks. These fractions were obtained by preparative electrophoresis in 2.5% polyacrylamide gel from previously isolated nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA. Administration of CCl₄ to rats was shown to reduce the quantity of transfer and ribosomal RNA in the liver tissue. Chronic CCl₄ poisoning also disturbs the synchronization of the turnover of the individual components of fast-labeled RNA.Laboratory of Biochemistry, Professor N. N. Petrov Scientific-Research Institute of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the USSR, Leningrad. (Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR S. N. Golikov). Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 83, No. 4, pp. 423–425, April, 1977.     

Formation of 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol in the rat hypophysis

Quantitative determination of 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol (3β-D) during its synthesis from dihydrotestosterone in the hypophysis of intact and castrated ratsin vitro can be performed only in homogenate. Synthesis of 3β-D is enhanced after castration in rats of both sexes. Rapid conversion of 3β-D into other metabolites in integral hypophysisin vitro is supposed to underlie nonadequate determination of 3β-hydroxysteroidoxide reductase in this gland. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 125, No. 2, pp. 149–152, April, 1997     

Effects of various of illumination regimens on the structure and circadian rhythms of rat epiphyseal proteins in postnatal ontogeny

It is demonstrated that the absence of the natural day/light cycle has no principal effects on the development of the pineal gland during the first two weeks of postnatal ontogeny. Starting from the 21st day, functional activity of the pineal decreases, particularly under conditions of constant illumination. The shift of acrophase testifies to relative structural stability of the investigated rhythm. Translated fromByulleten' Eksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 125, No. 6, pp. 692–694, June, 1998