Ethanol and receptor function

The effects of ethanol in vitro (21 and 42 mM) and in vitro (10 and 30 days of exposure) on the dose:effect curves for noradrenaline and acetylcholine in isolated auricles and uterus of rats, respectively, have been studied. Likewise, the acetylcholine-atropine interaction was studied in rat uterus under the above-mentioned conditions. Analysis of theoretical curves as well as pD2 and pA2 calculations revealed that ethanol causes changes in the tissue responses to the agents assayed which in turn may be an expression of modification in the receptor function.