The Interaction Between Manganese and Ethanol in Rats

Abstract

The effects of manganese and ethanol interaction on some chemical constituents of the liver and serum of rats were investigated in order to assess the influence of these substances in inducing susceptibility to manganese poisoning. Manganese and ethanol alone or in combination were administered to the rats as drinking solutions for a period of 30 days. Both the chemicals had a synergistic effect in altering the activity of SDH and ATPase in the liver of rats. The combined treatment also produced significant increase in the activity of adenosine deaminase and α‐amylase in the liver and serum respectively. Furthermore, the accumulation of manganese in the liver and the increase in the calcium content of the serum were significantly greater after combined ethanol and manganese administration – than either of them alone. These alterations indicate that the toxic effects of manganese are enhanced when the metal and ethanol interact in the biological system.

The effect of alcohol consumption on maternal and cord blood electrolyte and trace element levels

“…At the same time, the infl uence of alcohol consumption on Mn status has not been subject to suffi cient research. In particular, earlier experimental studies demonstrated a positive infl uence of alcohol consumption on tissue Mn concentrations (Shukla et al, 1978). Conversely, we have detected a signifi cant decrease in the cord blood Mn concentration in newborns maternally exposed to ethanol.…”

Influence of iron metabolism on manganese transport and toxicity

“…Of note, consumption of contaminated water from domestic wells has also been found to be a source of Mn toxicity 13, 14 . Due to the incomplete development of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), neonates are at a higher risk of Mn toxicity compared with adult rats 15–18 .…”