Strain dependent effects of ethanol on mouse brain and liver alcohol- and aldehyde-dehydrogenase

Specific activities of cytoplasmic NAD-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were determined in liver and specific brain regions of a mouse strain known for its preference for alcohol C57BL and compared with the albino mouse strain. The specific activities of liver and striatal ADH and ALDH were significantly greater in C57BL strain than in the albino mouse strain used. In both mouse strains, the cerebral cortex, striatum, midbrain and the cerebellum were capable of oxidizing ethanol and acetaldehyde. Administration of ethanol solution 20% (v/v) to C57BL mice, 2.0 g/kg, IP once daily for 8 consecutive days, induced liver ADH activity with a rebound occurring after 14 days of the ethanol treatment. Conversely, administration of identical ethanol dose regimens of ethanol to the albino mice produced a small but statistically significant decline in liver ADH after 14 days of ethanol administration. Furthermore, administration of ethanol for 8 days resulted in a marked decrease of striatal ADH and ALDH activity in both mouse strains. However, this inhibitory effect of ethanol on striatal ADH and ALDH activity was not evident after continued administration of ethanol for 14 days. The results are discussed with reference to available information regarding the relevance of biochemical factors underlying genetic differences in ethanol preference in mouse strains.