Evaluation of allopurinol as a cardioprotectant in ethanol-fed turkey poults

Cardioprotectant effects of allopurinol were investigated in ethanol-fed poults during induction of cardiomyopathy and during a period of ethanol abstinence. In young poults fed ethanol, allopurinol has an additive effect on depression of growth but has little or no effect on caloric consumption. Allopurinol significantly depresses heart weight and heart weight to body weight ratios in young poults. In poults 5 weeks and older, allopurinol depresses significantly body weight and caloric consumption. Although allopurinol depresses heart weight in older poults, it appears to have little or no effect on heart weight to body weight ratios. Cardioprotective effect of allopurinol is more apparent during the inductive process than during the recovery phase.