Influence of ethanol on methanol-induced oxidative stress and neurobehavioral deficits

The present study examines the efficacy of ethanol as an antidote in methanol neurotoxicity in terms of its effect on antioxidant defense system and behavior. It was observed that acute methanol exposure (7.5 g/kg body weight) led to an increase in lipid peroxidation in various regions of brain. Ethanol administration (7.5 g/kg body weight), on the other hand, was found to accentuate methanol-induced lipid peroxidation. Glutathione levels in brain were significantly reduced in methanol-exposed animals. However, in the coexposed animals, the levels of glutathione were comparable to those observed in controls. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were decreased in the brain following methanol exposure, whereas in methanol- and ethanol-coexposed animals there was no significant effect on these enzymes as compared to methanol-exposed animals. The activity of acetylcholinesterase was significantly reduced in the methanol-exposed animals. On the other hand, acetylcholinesterase activity was not affected in the coexposed animals in comparison to methanol-treated group. Neurobehavioral studies revealed impaired motor and cognitive functions following methanol exposure. In contrast, ethanol exposure ameliorated the behavioral deficits induced by methanol. The findings from the present study suggest the beneficial effect of ethanol on neurobehavioral deficits induced by methanol along with intensification of methanol-induced oxidative stress.