Continuous and intermittent exposure to ethanol: effect on NG 108-15 cell membrane phospholipids

The effect of continuous and intermittent ethanol exposure on the phospholipid composition of Neuroblastoma x Glioma (NG 108-15) cell membranes was investigated. The cells were treated with ethanol for three weeks. Continuous ethanol exposure (150 mM) produced an increase (27%) in the amount of phosphatidylcholine, whereas intermittent ethanol treatment (150 mM) induced a 22% reduction of this lipid. Decreases of phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen (8.5%), phosphatidylinositol (16%) and phosphatidylserine (24%) were also seen after intermittent exposure. After binge administration, the concentration of total phospholipids was reduced by 17%, whereas continuous exposure produced a 19% increase. Both intermittent and continuous exposure induced a reduction in the total protein content. No changes in phosphatidic acid, sphingomyelin, phosphatidylcholine plasmalogen or phosphatidylethanolamine (diacyl form) were detected with either treatment. The importance of this study is that ethanol, irrespective of amount, can elicit different effects depending on the pattern of administration.