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Brain mitochondrial alterations after chronic alcohol consumption

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the existence of alterations in glutathione and cholesterol homeostasis in brain mitochondria from alcoholic rats. Glutathione concentration decreased, whereas oxidized glutathione and cholesterol contents increased in these organelles, suggesting the ethanol-induced generation of reactive oxygen species, and the impairment of mitochondrial uptake of glutathione, possibly due to the increase in cholesterol deposition. The release of apoptogenic proteins was increased after stimulating mitochondria from the brain of alcoholic rats with atractyloside. As a conclusion, chronic alcohol consumption might sensitize brain mitochondria to apoptotic stimuli, and promote the subsequent release of apoptotic proteins.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto sobre Drogas y Conductas Adictivas (IDYCA), Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, 46113, Moncada, Valencia

    I. Almansa, M. Muriach, J. M. Barcia, M. Miranda & F. J. Romero

  2. Liver Unit and Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas Esther Koplowitz, IMDiM, Hospital Clínic i Provincial and CIBEREHD, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain

    A. Fernández, C. García-Ruiz & J. C. Fernández-Checa

  3. Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, Instituto Investigaciones Biomédicas de Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Barcelona, Spain

    A. Fernández, C. García-Ruiz & J. C. Fernández-Checa

Authors
  1. I. Almansa
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  2. A. Fernández
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  3. C. García-Ruiz
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  4. M. Muriach
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  5. J. M. Barcia
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  6. M. Miranda
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  7. J. C. Fernández-Checa
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  8. F. J. Romero
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Correspondence to F. J. Romero.

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Almansa, I., Fernández, A., García-Ruiz, C. et al. Brain mitochondrial alterations after chronic alcohol consumption. J Physiol Biochem 65, 305–312 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03180583

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03180583

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