Alterations in brain lipid composition of mice made physically dependent to ethanol

Ethanol regulation of adenosine receptor-stimulated cAMP levels in a clonal neural cell line: an in vitro model of cellular tolerance to ethanol.

“…However, the primary molecular events that underlie these responses are not understood. Acute and chronic ethanol-induced changes in membrane order and membrane constituents [e.g., cholesterol/phospholipid ratios (5)(6)(7)(8), fatty acids (9-11)] have been reported, but experiments using different animals, different strains of the same animals, or the same strains in different laboratories have yielded conflicting results (12). This may be due in part to genetic factors, the use of disrupted tissue preparations, and the mode of ethanol administration.…”

Ethanol Induced Brain Lipid Changes in Mice Assessed by Mass Spectrometry

“…39 As for the fatty acyl composition of phospholipids, most of the studies reported a relative decrease of polyunsaturated fatty acids in phospholipids, 29,34,35,39−41 but some studies did not report any changes. 37 Variations in some classes of phospholipids were also reported, 42,43 but again the results of these studies are not always consistent. These inconsistencies may be due to the variations of animal models, experimental design (especially the amount of EtOH given), sample preparation, or the diversity and lack of accuracy of the analytical methods used.…”

“…However, the alterations in membrane fluidity cannot be explained only by the physicochemical properties of ethanol, and it has been demonstrated that ethanol also alters lipid metabolism. , Lipids are the major components of cell membrane and therefore play a role in the membrane’s physical property changes. The increase of synaptic membrane fluidity has been correlated with changes in the phospholipid acyl composition but also changes in cholesterol concentrations. , Cholesterol plays an important role in membrane response to alcohol consumption, , but results from several studies are not consistent, some of them are reporting an increase in cholesterol, , and others a decrease or no change . As for the fatty acyl composition of phospholipids, most of the studies reported a relative decrease of polyunsaturated fatty acids in phospholipids, ,,,− but some studies did not report any changes .…”

“…The increase of synaptic membrane fluidity has been correlated with changes in the phospholipid acyl composition but also changes in cholesterol concentrations. , Cholesterol plays an important role in membrane response to alcohol consumption, , but results from several studies are not consistent, some of them are reporting an increase in cholesterol, , and others a decrease or no change . As for the fatty acyl composition of phospholipids, most of the studies reported a relative decrease of polyunsaturated fatty acids in phospholipids, ,,,− but some studies did not report any changes . Variations in some classes of phospholipids were also reported, , but again the results of these studies are not always consistent.…”