The effect of ethanol on lipid peroxidation and glutathione level in the brain stem of rat

THE effects of ethanol consumption on the levels of lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the brain stem of male rats were investigated. The rats randomly divided into eight groups: control, 10%, 25%, 35% ethanol-consuming groups and four groups given vitamin E. Brain stem GSH levels were significantly decreased by 39.74%, 61.57%, 78.23% in rats consuming 10%, 25% and 35% ethanol, respectively. The level of TEARS was increased six-fold, 12-fold and 17-fold in these groups when compared with the control group. The administration of vitamin E (100 mg/kg/day, i.p) to ethanol-consuming rats for 20 days caused a significant increase in glutathione levels and a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation. NeuroReport 10:1799-1801 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.