Abstract:

The aim of this study was to determine the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and alterations in the lung caused by alcohol consumption and the effects of melatonin and vitamin C on these changes in rats.Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats weighing 200-250g were used in this study. Rats were divided into four groups. The first group served as control (n:6). The second group was the ethanol treatment for 28 days (n:6). The third group was given ethanol and supplemented with 40 mg/kg/day vitamin C (intraperitoneally) (n:6). The fourth group was given ethanol and supplemented with 4 mg/kg/day melatonin (intraperitoneally) (n:6). Light microscopic examinations revealed thickening in alveolar septum and desquamation of some bronchial epithelial cells in the ethanol-fed group. In some fields, alveolar observed.immunoreactivity was in (+++) bronchial epithelial cells, (++) in alveolar septum and (+) in smooth muscle of bronchioli and vessels. Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in alcohol group was decreased comparedto control group. In melatonin and vitamin C treated groups, immunoreactivity resembled that of control group, and morphological damage was partly improved.Our finding have led us to conclude that chronic alcohol consumption results in damage to pulmonary tissue, which can only be resolved with especially melatonin and vitamin C

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