[Effect of ethanol and toliprolol on the carbohydrate metabolism of the brain and liver].

After application of ethanol (1.5 mg/g i.v.) to mice, the content of glycogen of the liver and the brain decreased. The alterated content of the metabolites of the glucose break-down points to an augmentation of the glycolysis in the liver and a diminution of the glycolysis in the brain. By pretreatment with the beta-sympatholytic agent 1-isopropylamino-3-(3-tolyloxy)-2-propanol (toliprolol, Doberol) (50 microgram/g s.c.), the ethanol-induced break-down of glycogen was partially blocked in the liver and completely abolished in the brain. In contrast, mainly synergistic effects of ethanol and toliprolol on the glycolysis of the liver and the brain were found. From the results it is concluded that the ethanol-induced break-down of glycogen is mediated, at least in part, by catecholamines whereas the alteration of the glycolysis by ethanol is brought about by some different mechanism.