ubiquinone and Alcoholic-Intoxication

Previous investigations from our laboratory have shown that during acute ethanol intoxication the Golgi apparatus seems involved in impaired dismission of lipoproteins. In the present paper the phospholipid distributions of Golgi subfractions have been analyzed in livers of normal and ethanol intoxicated rats. No significant differences in the phospholipid classes have been observed in this study. On the contrary, a decrease of vitamin A and ubiquinone in Golgi subfractions is evident. The results are briefly discussed in view of the role played by these endogenous antioxidants in the Golgi membranes and in the pathogenesis of ethanol induced fatty liver.

Topics: Alcoholic Intoxication; Animals; Ethanol; Female; Golgi Apparatus; Humans; Liver; Phospholipids; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Ubiquinone; Vitamin A

Administration of an acutely intoxicating dose of ethanol produced significant increases in the concentration of liver triglyceride and enhanced the peroxidation of liver lipids in rats. Adipose triglyceride and lipid peroxide concentrations were unaltered. Coenzyme Q(4), an effective antioxidant, significantly inhibited accumulation of liver triglyceride following ethanol intoxication and prevented the peroxidation of liver lipids. These results, which demonstrate the selective ability of ethanol to induce peroxidation of liver lipids, together with the effectiveness of antioxidants, support the previously proposed hypothesis that peroxidation of liver lipids following ethanol intoxication is a factor in the pathogenesis of ethanol-induced liver injury.

Topics: Alcoholic Intoxication; Animals; Antioxidants; Fatty Liver; Female; Glycerides; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Lipid Metabolism; Male; Peroxides; Rats; Triglycerides; Ubiquinone