Ethanol in cardiomyopathic hamsters: Na and water excretion and righting response

This study examined the effects of ethanol and hereditary cardiomyopathy on sodium and water excretion by golden Syrian hamsters of both sexes. Ethanol (4 g/kg) or the isotonic saline vehicle were injected IP into 60-70-day-old hamsters of normal and cardiomyopathic (BIO 14.6) strains. Urine and blood were collected after 90 or 350 min in different groups. Cardiomyopathic hamsters more quickly lost their righting responses, eliminated ethanol more slowly, and had lower urine volume and sodium excretion than normal hamsters after ethanol injections. Plasma creatine kinase levels were normal in all animals tested, indicating no active skeletal or cardiac lesioning in the cardiomyopathic hamsters at the time of the experiment. Some factors which could contribute to the increased CNS and renal sensitivity to ethanol in cardiomyopathic hamsters include impaired ethanol metabolism, enhanced myocardial depression, and reduced atrial content of natriuretic peptides. The results do not owe to decompensated heart failure. Thus, the genetic mutation which causes skeletal and cardiac myopathy in these hamsters may also affect the metabolism and sensitivity to ethanol.