Alterations in Brain Polyribosomal RNA Translation and Lymphocyte Proliferation in Prenatal Ethanol‐Exposed Rats

Abstract

The long-term effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on the properties of brain polysomes and the proliferative responses of lymphocytes to mitogenic stimulation in adult offspring were assessed. Female Sprague-Dawley rats either ingested the control or 6.6% ethanol-containing Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Controls were age-matched and pair-fed. At 42 to 72 days of age, ethanol effects were evaluated on the (1) polysomal properties in the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, and hippocampal regions of the brain after translation in a messenger RNA (mRNA)-dependent rabbit reticulocyte lysate system and (2) immunologic functions of lymphocytes cultured from spleen cells by measuring their responses to mitogenic stimulation. Results showed long-term adverse effects of in utero ethanol exposure on the polysomal RNA translation in each of the three brain regions tested with free polysomal mRNAs affected more than the bound polysomal mRNAs. Of these, the hippocampal region appeared to sustain the most injurious effects. In addition, a suppression of the mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferative responses were present under these conditions. The degree of suppression varied with the specific mitogen used. Data suggest that the ethanol effects on the CNS and lymphocyte proliferation are most possibly irreversible, and in the case of the CNS, a post-translational modification by ethanol is indicated. The reduced lymphocyte responses are suggestive of a possible interference by ethanol of the synthesis of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and/or a reduced binding of IL-2 with its receptor (IL-2 receptors).

Prenatal alcohol exposure potentiates chronic neuropathic pain, spinal glial and immune cell activation and alters sciatic nerve and DRG cytokine levels

“…Major cellular sources of IL-10 are macrophages and T-cells (mainly T-helper 1/Th1 and regulatory T/Treg) [51,82] that infiltrate the sciatic nerve and DRG following CCI [88]. Interestingly, a number of studies show PAE alters cell-mediated immune responsiveness, as demonstrated by reduced proliferative responses of splenic or thymic T-cells [40,41,76,101]. However, this effect varied on the timing and extent of ethanol exposure [10,70,76].…”

Low-dose maternal alcohol consumption: effects in the hearts of offspring in early life and adulthood

“…However, it should also be noted that studies using high doses of ethanol can be confounded by significant changes in neurological and behavioral function (Tewari et al. ), which may in turn affect cardiovascular function.…”

“…Given the disparity in our findings compared to other studies, in future studies it would be beneficial to conduct a study where the dams consume varying doses of ethanol to examine the dose effects. However, it should also be noted that studies using high doses of ethanol can be confounded by significant changes in neurological and behavioral function (Tewari et al 1992), which may in turn affect cardiovascular function.…”