Possible Interaction: Ethanol and Potassium

“This chapter reviews the literature on ethanol-potassium channel interactions and discusses the hypothesis that the inhibitory effects of ethanol on central neurons are mediated by increased potassium conductance.”

“ Ethanol (6%) reduced the accumulation of potassium at pH 5.2, 6.8, and 8.4 and caused a potassium loss in nonfermenting cells at pH 5.8.”

“Application of ethanol also resulted in an inhibition of potassium currents in the motor nerve endings.”

“Quantitation of protein, sodium, and potassium concentrations in the gastric contents revealed marked increases following exposure to ethanol which correlated with the concentration.”

“Furthermore, either chronic ethanol or thiamine deficiency induced a significant decrease in the release of acetylcholine (ACh) in the stimulated condition using high potassium concentration; and when both treatments were associated the decrease was even greater.”

“These findings suggest that especially the potassium channel-related component of arterial relaxation was augmented by long-term ethanol exposure.”

“Also in contrast to the effect of HS, the potassium concentration decreased during ethanol treatment.”

“The present study shows that repeated treatment with ethanol may lead to an increase in the prodynorphin neurons' sensitivity to the depolarizing effect of potassium.”

“These findings suggest that ethanol depolarizes the synaptosomal membrane potential through potassium and anion-related mechanisms, probably through potassium channels.”

“The delay which separates the change in potential and the turning-on of the potassium current, which was systematically analysed for different pulse … prepulse potential being shifted towards larger (positive) delays.(5)This high degree of complexity in the effects on potassium conductance suggests that the alcohol molecules … potassium ….”