Materials, Methods & Technologies, Volume 5, 2011

Rezumat: The response of endocrine osmoregulating structures, the hypothalamus, neurohypophysis, adrenal gland, APUD glomerular apparatus of the kidney, and cardiomyocytes secreting atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP), to alcoholization of experimental rats under two regimens was studied. Regimen 1 comprised a single administration of a 25% ethanol solution into the stomach through a probe at a dose of 6 mg/kg body mass. Regimen 2 imitated a bout of heavy drinking by administration of a 25% ethanol solution by the same route twice a day, with a daily dose of 8 mg/kg body mass calculated for 96% ethanol, for 7 days. The findings revealed dynamic alterations in the blood concentrations of hormones, vasopressin, aldosterone, renin, and ANP, as well as ultrastructural reconstruction in the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, the posterior lobe of the hypophysis, and cardiomyocytes. Active involvement of endocrine osmoregulating structures in the body’s response to ethanol was shown. The pattern of alterations after a single administration of ethanol included inhibition of vasopressin secretion and production, activation of ANP synthesis and secretion by cardiomyocytes, and activation of the renin-aldosterone system. Chronic alcoholization, accompanied by an increase in ultrastructural signs of vasopressin biosynthesis and secretion, resulted in destruction of organelles in neurosecretory cells.