ABSTRACT
Effect of ethanol administration on the severity of myocardial infarction induced by isoproterenol in rats was studied. Even though serum CPK and GOT levels as well as the extent of myocardial damage as revealed by histopathological studies, were similar, the survival rate was higher in rats administered ethanol. Concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides in the serum and heart in rats given ethanol and isoproterenol seems to be the additive effect caused individually by ethanol and isoproterenol. Myocardial alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase both showed increased activity in rats treated with ethanol. The rate of recovery from myocardial infarction however, was slower in rats treated with ethanol as judged from the serum CPK value.