Possible Interaction: Ethanol and Vasoconstrictor Agents

“ Ethanol administration induces an increase in vasoactive agents such as endothelin and nitric oxide and oxidative stress.”

“ Chronic ethanol increases the reactivity of intact microvessels to vasoconstrictors and results in decreased reactivity to vasodilators.”

“Although the mechanism of this vasoconstriction is not fully understood, it is hypothesized that high ethanol levels may directly stimulate the synthesis/release of the vasoconstrictor , endothelin1, and also impair the synthesis and release of nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator [9, 10] .”

“While the focal perfusion abnormalities to the cortex and basal ganglia could be explained by the profound vasoconstrictor effects of cocaine, the combinational use of multiple substances including cannabis and alcohol may play a contributory role.”

“The combination of ethanol and hyperthermia can lead to a synergistic effect on carotid vasoconstriction.”

“These findings suggest that increased vascular responsiveness to vasoconstrictor agents is possibly a link factor in the development and maintenance of the progressive hypertension induced by ethanol consumption.”

“These data indicate that gender influences the vasoconstrictive effects elicited by chronic ethanol consumption and suggest that males may be more susceptible to the associated hypertension.”

“Increased sinusoidal responsiveness to the vasoconstrictor ET‐1 in vivo may contribute to the increased susceptibility of ethanol‐fed rats to secondary stresses that increase ET‐1 expression, such as endotoxemia. (”