Effect of adrenergic receptor blockers on ethanol mediated metabolic and haematologic changes in rats

ABSTRACT

Sympathetic activation is incriminated in the metabolic changes, neu-ropsychatric syndrome and overburdened physiologic resources noticed with chronic ethanol intake. The aim of the work was to detect some metabolic and haematologic effects mediated by chronic ethanol intake in rate and to study the possible role of alpha and beta adrenergic receptor blockers in modifying these changes. Thirty male albino rats were devided into 5 groups; placebo control, ethanol treated group, group treated with ethanol together with intraperitoneal propranolol, group treated with ethanol together with intraperitoneal Hydergine. and group treated with ethanol and intraperitoneal propranolol and Hydergine daily for 8 weeks. It was found that chronic ethanol intake caused anaemia, hypoalbuminaemia. elevated SGOT and SGPT, decreased liver glycogen, hyperglycemia, increased total lipids, elevated serum cholesterol and decreased body weight gain. The use of both adrenergic receptor blockers caused significant changes in blood glucose, liver glycogen, total lipids. total proteins and serum albumin. There was significant difference in this group compared with either beta blocker alone or alpha blocker alone. In conclusion, adrenergic hyperactivity is responsible for most of the metabolic changes oc-cured with chronic ethanol intake and the use of combination of alpha and beta receptor blockers may help in the reconstruction of metabolic adjustment