Synergistic effect of alcohol and nicotine on glycosaminoglycan metabolism in rats.

Oral administration of alcohol along with nicotine decreased all the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) fractions except hyaluronic acid in aorta and liver of rats. Decreased activity of the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of precursors of GAG and increased activity of many of GAG hydrolysing enzymes indicate decreased biosynthesis and increased degradation of GAG. Sulphate metabolism in liver was also significantly altered by administration of both alcohol and nicotine showing considerable decrease in the concentration of sulphated GAG.