Effects of ethanol on the development of experimental atherosclerosis and cardionecrosis in rats.

The influence of chronic ethanol intoxication upon vitamin D-induced damage of cardiovascular system in rats was examined. Eighty rats, divided into 16 groups according to sex and age, were intoxicated with ethanol as the only source of liquid. Control rats drank water only. After 6 months of ethanol intoxication, part of ethanol and part of water-drinking rats received 3 x 100,000 IU vitamin D/rat, in order to induce atherosclerosis and heart muscle necrosis. The results of the described experiment revealed that the degree of circulatory system damage after chronic ethanol intoxication and vitamin D treatment was dependent on the age of the animals at the beginning of the experiment. Ethanol intoxication intensified vitamin D-dependent heart muscle necrosis in young individuals. In old rats chronic alcohol intoxication diminished atherosclerosis induced by vitamin D.