The Effect of Ethanol and Acetaldehyde on the Metabolism and Vascular Resistance of the Perfused Heart

Abstract

The effect of ethanol and acetaldehyde on the perfused nonworking rat and guinea pig hearts was studied. Ethanol (100 mM) initially increased the coronary vascular resistance, but had no appreciable effect on oxygen consumption, glucose-U-¹⁴C oxidation, or anaerobic glycolysis. Acetaldehyde (1 mM) increased the heart rate and oxygen consumption, and decreased the coronary vascular resistance. The decrease in coronary resistance was not affected by propranolol but the increase in heart rate was partially blocked. The loss of amino acids or aspartate transminase activity from the heart was not affected by the presence of ethanol. Ethanol-1-¹⁴C, either at 10 or 100 mM, was not oxidized by the perfused rat heart.