Vitamin E attenuates alcohol-induced aortic wall damage in rats

Background: In this study the effect of chronic ethanol consumption on vascular
wall abnormality via oxidative stress was examined. It was also intended to find out whether
vitamin E inhibits the abnormality induced by ethanol in rat vascular wall.
Methods: Twenty-four male wistar rats were divided into three groups, namely, control,
ethanol (4.5 g/kgBW intragastrically), and vitamin E treated ethanolic groups(VETE) (300 mg
interagastrically).
Results: After 6 weeks treatment of rats, the results revealed that along with a significant increase
VSMC proliferation and aorta wall thickness with the increase in the level of Ox-LDL,
protein carbonyl, as well as decrease total antioxidant capacity in animal that received
ethanol compared to the control group. Significant amelioration of aorta wall changes, along
restoration of the elevated level of Ox-LDL, protein carbonyl, lipid profile, and decreased level
of total antioxidant capacity to that of controls were found in vitamin E-treated animals.
Conclusions: These findings strongly support the idea that heavy and chronic ethanol consumption
initiate atherosclerosis by oxidative stress, and that these effects can be alleviated by
vitamin E as an antioxidant.