Alcoholic cardiomyopathy--acetaldehyde poisoning rat: myocardial and serum enzyme changes in acute exposure.

In order to clarify the pathogenesis of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, acetaldehyde (Ach) was administered to rats using the inhalation method. Serum enzyme changes and structural alterations of the heart were observed at various time intervals after 2 ml of Ach exposure for 2 hours. Possible myocardium-related enzymes, such as glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase, were elevated within 24 hours and then returned almost to the previous levels. The most significant change seen using light microscopy was a prominent contraction band scattered throughout the specimen in the groups exposed for 12 and 24 hours, respectively. Ultrastructually, mitochondrial swelling and crystal disarray concomitant with myofibrillar change (swelling of Z-band) were observed. The former was seen most prominently immediately after exposure, while the latter was observed 24 hours after exposure. The significance of these findings and the difference between alcoholic cardiomyopathy and ischemic lesions were discussed.