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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Assessment of Glutamine as a Fuel Source for Alveolar Macrophages Exposed to Chronic Ethanol Using an Extracellular Flux Bioanalyzer
Published on: November 15, 2024
Alcohol-induced lung damage and increased oxidative stress
B N Aytacoglu1, M Calikoglu, L Tamer
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Mersin University School of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey. baytacoglu@yahoo.com
High-dose acute alcohol intake increases oxidative stress and causes lung damage in rats. This suggests alcohol abuse can lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), especially with other health issues.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pathology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Alcohol-induced lung damage is potentially linked to heightened oxidative stress.
- Understanding alcohol's impact on lung health is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alcohol-induced biochemical and histopathological alterations in lung tissue.
- To assess the role of oxidative stress in alcohol-related lung injury.
Main Methods:
- Rats were administered ethanol (2 g/kg) or saline (control) intraperitoneally.
- Blood and lung tissues were analyzed for oxidative stress markers: erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and Na(+)-K(+) ATPase.
- Histopathological examination of lung tissues was performed.
Main Results:
- Ethanol group showed increased serum/tissue MDA and MPO activity.
- Decreased lung tissue Na(+)-K(+) ATPase activity and erythrocyte GSH in the ethanol group.
- Histopathology revealed alveolocapillary thickening, alveolar degeneration, leukocyte infiltration, and erythrocyte extravasation.
Conclusions:
- Acute high-dose alcohol administration exacerbates systemic and local oxidative stress, causing lung injury.
- Increased oxidative stress from alcohol abuse may contribute to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), particularly with co-existing ischemic conditions.
- Preventive measures against ARDS could reduce mortality in alcohol-induced lung damage.
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