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Updated: May 31, 2026
10:35
An Assay for Measuring the Effects of Ethanol on the Locomotion Speed of Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: April 9, 2015
[Effect of ethanol on nerve dependent vasorelaxation and vasoconstriction]
1Department of Legal Medicine, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijocho, Kashiharashi, Nara 634-8521, Japan.
Nihon Arukoru Yakubutsu Igakkai Zasshi = Japanese Journal of Alcohol Studies & Drug Dependence
|June 29, 2011
Summary
Ethanol impacts vascular tone by affecting nerve-mediated responses. This review details ethanol's effects on sympathetic nerve vasoconstriction and sensory nerve vasorelaxation.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Neuropharmacology
Context:
- Vascular tone is regulated by endothelial factors (Prostacyclin, nitric oxide, thromboxane A2, endothelin-1) and autonomic nerves.
- Ethanol is known to influence endothelial-mediated vascular responses.
- The impact of ethanol on nerve-mediated vascular tone, particularly nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) nerves, is less understood.
Purpose:
- To review the current understanding of ethanol's effects on nerve-mediated vascular responses.
- To summarize findings on how ethanol influences sympathetic adrenergic nerve-mediated vasoconstriction.
- To consolidate knowledge on ethanol's impact on sensory nerve-mediated vasorelaxation.
Summary:
- Ethanol's influence on vascular tone extends beyond endothelial mechanisms to include neural pathways.
- Sympathetic adrenergic nerves mediate vasoconstriction, and sensory nerves release substances like CGRP and NDHF, contributing to vasorelaxation.
- This review synthesizes research on ethanol's modulatory effects on both vasoconstrictive and vasodilatory nerve activities.
Impact:
- Provides a comprehensive overview of ethanol's neurovascular effects.
- Highlights gaps in knowledge regarding ethanol and NANC nerve function.
- Informs future research on alcohol's cardiovascular consequences and potential therapeutic targets.
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