The effect of ethanol on the release of free fatty acids from the brain in vivo; a study with push-pull cannula

The release of nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) in vivo from the brain after a single dose of ethanol (3 g/kg) in naive rats was studied. A guide cannula was implanted stereotaxically above the striatum. After one week the striatum of the freely moving rat was superfused through a push-pull cannula with artificial CSF. One hour samples were collected. The concentrations of NEFA were measured by GC in four samples, one before and three after ethanol or water was given by gavage. Preliminary results suggest that the concentrations of palmitate and stearate in superfusate decrease after ethanol administration. Of the unsaturated NEFA only oleic and linoleic acids were found in the superfusion fluid even then only in trace amounts and with no major change after ethanol. It remains to be studied whether the reduced outflow of saturated NEFA is related to the increased rigidity of membranes.