Ethanol-induced oxidative stress in the rat cerebellum

An acute ethanol load (50 mmol/kg, i.p.) produces an increase in lipid peroxidation in the rat cerebellum. The levels of ascorbate and alpha-tocopherol, which represent efficient antioxidants acting synergetically, are decreased. This decrease seems highly indicative of a consumption of the antioxidants in quenching free radicals and suggests that acute ethanol induces an oxidative stress at the cerebellar level. As allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, prevents the decrease in alpha-tocopherol, xanthine oxidase may contribute to this oxidative stress.