?-tocopherol and ?-tocopherol attenuate ethanol-induced changes in membrane fatty acid composition in embryonic chick brains

Abstract

Background This project investigated whether or not EtOH‐induced reductions in the levels of long‐chain polyunsaturated membrane fatty acids could be attenuated by exogenous exposure to either α‐tocopherol, γ‐tocopherol, or diallyl sulfide (DAS). Methods At 0 days of development, fertile chicken eggs were injected with a single dose of either saline supplemented with various concentrations of EtOH, α‐ or γ‐tocopherol and EtOH, or DAS and EtOH. At 18 days of development, brains were isolated and subjected to membrane analyses. Results When exposed to EtOH, concentrations ranging from 0–60.50 μm/Kg egg, dose‐dependent decreases in the levels of brain 18:0, 18:1 (n‐9), 18:2 (n‐6), 18:3 (n‐3), and 20:4 (n‐6) were observed. These ethanol–induced changes in membrane fatty acid composition correlated with ethanol‐induced reductions in brain mass, brain protein levels, acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activities and correlated with increased lipid hydroperoxide levels. Exposure to either 2.5 μm α‐tocopherol/Kg egg and 6.050 mm EtOH/Kg egg, or 2.5 μm α‐tocopherol/ Kg egg and 6.050 mm EtOH/Kg egg attenuated EtOH‐induced changes in membrane fatty acid composition, brain mass, brain protein levels, AChE activities, and lipid hydroperoxide levels. Embryonic exposure to the cytochrome p450‐2E1 inhibitor, diallyl sulfide (DAS), also attenuated EtOH‐induced decreases in long‐chain, unsaturated membrane fatty acids. However, embryonic exposure to DAS promoted abnormally low brain mass. Conclusion EtOH‐induced reductions in the levels of brain long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid are caused by lipid peroxidation. Teratology 62:26–35, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Essential oils from two Allium species exert effects on cell proliferation and neuroblast differentiation in the mouse dentate gyrus by modulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor and acetylcholinesterase

“…In fact, it has been reported that various effects on neuroprotection, memory, and cell proliferation in the brain result from compounds of different Allium species. For example, Z -ajoene from garlic ameliorates the scopolamine-induced memory impairment dose-dependently [71]; however, alliin and DADS do not improve memory performance, cell proliferation, or neuroblast differentiation in the same model [23, 71, 72]. Therefore, the contradictory results of this study may be explained by the differing composition ratios and by how these compounds interact with memory formation in the naïve mouse.…”

Accelerated senescence of human erythrocytes cultured with Plasmodium falciparum

“…Also, the lower AChE activity of IRBCs, compared with the NRBCs of the same density (very young fraction), could be ascribed to P falciparum-induced oxidative stress or the reduced content of PUFAs. [38][39][40] P falciparum accelerated also the age-related modifications of URBCs, particularly the young fraction. We found a loss in arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acid, but, differently from IRBCs, the increase in saturated species was limited to palmitic acid.…”

Novel Molecular Targets for the Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

“…Therefore, this modified vitamin E can promisingly be used in the future as a therapeutic strategy against some of the severe damages caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. In another study, the direct ethanol exposure of fertile chicken eggs decreased cerebral long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [69]. Lipid peroxidation, the oxidation of long-chain fatty acids, which are essential components of cell membranes, has been considered a process that eventually leads to a reduction in the brain mass.…”

“…Lipid peroxidation, the oxidation of long-chain fatty acids, which are essential components of cell membranes, has been considered a process that eventually leads to a reduction in the brain mass. When α-tocopherol or γ-tocopherol (vitamin E derivatives) was injected concomitantly with ethanol, no reduction in the brain mass was observed and lipid peroxidation levels did not increase [69]. Addition of SOD decreased oxidative stress and ethanol toxicity on both cell and whole embryo cultures [24][25][26].…”