Abstract
Albino rats (Wistar) of two different age groups (3 months and 24 months) were treated with ethanol and/or diazepam for a period of five weeks. The cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus, and pons medulla were isolated from the brain for the assay of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) and acetylcholine (ACh). Both the individual and combined administration of ethanol or diazepam increased ACh levels in the tissues of the brain and decreased the specific activity of AChE, Mg2+ATPase and Na+-K+ATPase. The results indicated that combined administration of ethanol and diazepam exerted more pronounced alterations in these biochemical molecules and that the aging brain appears to be more susceptible to these drugs.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 38-44 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Research Communications in Alcohol and Substances of Abuse |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
State | Published - 2001 |