[Structural changes in the rat cerebral cortex induced by alcohol in combination with aldehyde dehydrogenase...

The cerebral parietal cortex in rats subjected to an acute (single) and subacute (for 5 days) ethanol effect in combination with aldehyde dehydrogenase (AldDG) (enzymes classification 1.2.1.3 AldDG) inhibitors--disulfiram and cyanamide--has been investigated histochemically and electron microscopically. The inhibitors mentioned produce an essential decrease of AldDG activity in the cerebral cortex; it remains in some structures even 6 days after their single administration. Against the background of AldDG inhibitors alcohol produces more noticeable structural disorders in the cerebral cortex, they are possibly connected with accumulation of a highly toxic ethanol metabolite-acetaldehyde--in blood and with its easy penetration into the brain. This demonstrates an important role of AldDG in protection of the brain from alcoholic (aldehydic) lesions, as well as a peculiar danger for the brain of ethanol in combination with inhibitors of this enzyme.