Gender and propranolol-ethanol interaction
Messiha, F.S.; Lutherer, L.
Neurobehavioral Toxicology and Teratology 5(2): 255-257
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0275-1380 PMID: 6346130 Document Number: 217085
The in vitro effect of propranolol, a beta-receptor blocking agent, on specific activity of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (L-ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (L-ALDH) was studied in the male and in the female rat. The presence of propranolol, in the dose range of 3 x 10(-4) M to 10(-3) M concentration in the reaction mixture noncompetitively inhibited female but not male L-ADH. Conversely, significant enhancement of mitochondrial but not cytoplasmic L-ALDH occurred in the presence of propranolol, between 10(-3) M and 10(-5) M concentration, in both sexes. The alteration of hepatic ethanol and acetaldehyde metabolizing enzymes by propranolol suggest both gender difference and possible contraindication of use of this drug in alcoholic patients.