[Pathogenetic role of the abstinence syndrome in the development of alcoholic encephalopathy (morpho-immunological research)].

In 219 male rats receiving for 8 months 10% ethanol solution instead of water either constantly or with multiple periods of discontinuation, the authors studied the morphological and immunological parameters in the period of the development of alcoholic encephalopathy and abstinence syndrome. Examination of the rat brain revealed chronic hemodynamic disorders and dystrophic-destructive changes in parenchymatous elements with superimposition of acute changes in the early stage of abstinence. Acute changes in the brain were attended by considerable disturbance of protein metabolism in neurons expressed in an altered rate of 3H-leucin inclusion. The development of acute morphological alterations in the brain tissue during abstinence was accompanied by the appearance of anticerebral antibodies in the blood of the animals. The obtained results represent new quantitative data on metabolic disorders of neuronal proteins and new immunologic data related to experimental alcoholic encephalopathy at different stages of abstinence. This evidence contributes to the understanding of the pathogenetic role of abstinence in the development of alcoholic encephalopathy.