Interactions between trace elements and alcohol in rats

Interactions between ethanol and trace elements are reviewed at two levels. The first concerns the effect of alcohol on the concentration and distribution of certain trace metals in the body; changes are described for copper, iron, manganese, selenium and zinc. The second relates to the possible protection afforded by some trace elements against alcohol-related damage. The significance of maternal zinc to the fetal alcohol syndrome is discussed in the light of evidence that pregnancy outcome in rats after gestational alcoholism is less favourable in zinc-deficient dams than in nutritionally replete animals. Cellular metabolism of ethanol may lead to the generation of damaging superoxide and hydroxyl radicals; several trace elements, notably zinc, manganese, selenium and copper, may function protectively as free radical scavengers and as antioxidants. Evidence is presented of increased lipid peroxidation in zinc-deficient tissues of Sprague-Dawley rats and of enhanced activity of Mn-superoxide dismutase in fetal and adults rats exposed to ethanol.