Brain gamma-glutamyltransferase levels in alcohol-fed rabbits

Brain gamma-glutamyltransferase levels were determined in the cortex, cerebellum, medulla and mid-brain of 14 ethanol-fed and 10 control rabbits. In the ethanol-fed animals, brain gamma-glutamyltransferase activity was reduced. This reduction was more pronounced with 3 than with 6 months ethanol feeding, and significantly reduced gamma-glutamyltransferase activity was observed at each brain site when rabbits fed ethanol for 3 months were compared with non-ethanol-fed controls with similar calorie intake. Possible neuropharmacological implications are considered.