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Assessment of Glutamine as a Fuel Source for Alveolar Macrophages Exposed to Chronic Ethanol Using an Extracellular Flux Bioanalyzer
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Ethanol-induced malfunction of neutrophils respiratory burst on patients suffering from alcohol dependence

Dirk Breitmeier1, Nina Becker, Christian Weilbach

  • 1Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical School Hannover, Hannover, Germany. breitmeier.dirk@mh-hannover.de

Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research
|July 17, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Alcohol dependence impairs neutrophil function, reducing their ability to fight infection. This study found that alcohol significantly decreases the respiratory burst activity in neutrophils, impacting the body's defense mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Toxicology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) are crucial for fighting infections.
  • Alcohol dependence is linked to increased susceptibility to infections.
  • The respiratory burst, involving oxygen radical production by the respiratory burst oxidase, is key to microbial destruction by PMN.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of alcohol exposure on oxygen radical formation and respiratory burst activity in patients with alcohol dependence.
  • To determine the effect of varying ethanol concentrations on PMN function.

Main Methods:

  • Whole blood samples were collected from healthy adults and patients with alcohol dependence.
  • Respiratory burst activity of PMN was assessed using a Four-Colour-Continuous Flow Cytometer.
  • Tests included controls, stimulation with Escherichia coli, FMLP, and PMA, with varying ethanol concentrations (0.20–4.00 g/l).

Main Results:

  • Ethanol significantly decreased PMN burst activity in alcohol-dependent patients, with a dose-dependent relationship observed.
  • This reduction in burst activity was statistically significant and evident upon stimulation with E. coli and FMLP.
  • No second-messenger effects were observed with the tested stimuli.

Conclusions:

  • Alcohol addiction impairs PMN function by decreasing respiratory burst activity.
  • The observed impairment may be due to an allosteric receptor effect on the burst oxidase, directly impacting phagocytosis.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms behind alcohol's effect on neutrophil function.

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