Reduction of the sialic acid and galactose concentrations in erythrocyte membranes in alcoholics.

The sialic acid and galactose concentrations in erythrocyte membranes were examined in 32 and 17 alcoholics respectively, during current abuse, and the sialic acid concentration in 10 patients after one and four weeks of abstention. During current alcohol abuse the concentrations of these two surface carbohydrates were decreased by an average of 10% and 16% respectively, when compared to matched, healthy controls (p less than 0.0005). After one and four weeks of abstention the sialic acid values were not significantly different from those of the controls suggesting that the abnormal cells were eliminated within one week after cessation of alcohol intake. No correlations were found between the sialic acid or galactose concentrations and peripheral red cell characteristics or serum liver enzyme levels. Hemolysis in isotonic Tris was significantly increased during current abuse, and was highly dependent on the sialic acid concentration at one particular stage of Tris-induced lysis. The mechanism behind the change of the oligosaccharide concentration of the membrane may either be increased hydrolytic cleavage or inhibition of the synthesis of glycoproteins and glycolipids. Previous similar findings in serum transferrin in alcoholics and in synaptosomes from young rat brain after ethanol exposure indicate that glycoprotein and glycolipid metabolism may be an important target, directly or indirectly, in the biological actions of ethanol.