The Rate of Oxygen Consumption by Brain Homogenates in Chronically Alcoholized Rats Under the Action of Ethanol and Succinate in Vitro

Abstract

Background. The problem of the development of alcohol dependence is relevant due to insufficient research of the processes occurring in the brain during prolonged exposure to ethanol. The aim of the research. To estimate the rate of oxygen consumption by homogenates of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of rats under conditions of chronic alcohol intoxication, ethanol withdrawal, as well as the effect of ethanol and succinate on it in vitro. Material and methods. The rate of oxygen consumption by homogenates of the cerebral cortex and cerebellum of rats alcoholized for 8 months, as well as during the period of ethanol withdrawal on endogenous substrates, during incubation with ethanol solution and succinate was studied. Results. An increase in the rate of oxygen consumption of brain homogenates on endogenous substrates in chronic alcohol intoxication of rats, a decrease in the period of ethanol withdrawal on days 1 and 3, a stimulating effect of ethanol in the cerebral cortex on day 3 of abstinence, as well as a stimulating effect succinate in groups of control animals and with chronic alcohol intoxication were observed. Conclusions. Chronic alcoholization of rats leads to the development of the dependence of tissue respiration on the presence of ethanol in the cage. The absence of the stimulating effect of succinate in the ethanol withdrawal groups indicates the significant activation of the succinate dehydrogenase pathway in these animals.