Influence of ethyl alcohol when given alone or in combination with potassium and/or magnesium supplements on ventricular fibrillation threshold levels in laboratory rats. 1992

S M Khedun, and B Maharaj, and C J Lockett, and W P Leary
Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Natal Medical School, Durban, South Africa.

Five groups of rats were studied in an investigation to determine whether changes in the ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) occur when ethyl alcohol (EtOH) is given alone or in combination with K+ and/or Mg2+ supplements; the first group (n = 20) served as controls, the second (n = 18) was given only EtOH, the third (n = 18) EtOH+KCl, the fourth (n = 16) EtOH+MgCl2, and the fifth (n = 18) EtOH+MgCl2 + KCl for a 9 month period. Two rats from each group were killed on each day. One rat heart was perfused using the Langendorff apparatus and the other used for tissue electrolyte analyses. A significant fall in the mean VFT (9.7 +/- SD 1.9 mA vs 4.5 +/- 1.6 mA; P less than 0.0001) was noted in the rats given EtOH solution as drinking water for 9 months, and a significant increase in the VFT levels was seen in the Mg(2+)-supplemented group (9.7 +/- 1.9 mA vs 18.9 +/- 4.1 mA; P less than 0.0001) and in the K+ + Mg2+ supplemented group (9.7 +/- 1.9 mA vs 15.8 +/- 1.3 mA; P less than 0.0001) compared to controls. In addition, an increase in the heart rate was observed in the group supplemented with Mg2+ (213 +/- 8 beats/min vs 231 +/- 10 beats/min; P less than 0.0001) as well as in the group supplemented with K+ + Mg2+ (213 +/- 8 beats/min vs 222 +/- 10 beats/min; P less than 0.002) compared to controls. There was no significant change in the coronary blood flow (CF) in any group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D011188 Potassium An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D003326 Coronary Circulation The circulation of blood through the CORONARY VESSELS of the HEART. Circulation, Coronary
D004562 Electrocardiography Recording of the moment-to-moment electromotive forces of the HEART as projected onto various sites on the body's surface, delineated as a scalar function of time. The recording is monitored by a tracing on slow moving chart paper or by observing it on a cardioscope, which is a CATHODE RAY TUBE DISPLAY. 12-Lead ECG,12-Lead EKG,12-Lead Electrocardiography,Cardiography,ECG,EKG,Electrocardiogram,Electrocardiograph,12 Lead ECG,12 Lead EKG,12 Lead Electrocardiography,12-Lead ECGs,12-Lead EKGs,12-Lead Electrocardiographies,Cardiographies,ECG, 12-Lead,EKG, 12-Lead,Electrocardiograms,Electrocardiographies, 12-Lead,Electrocardiographs,Electrocardiography, 12-Lead
D006329 Heart Conduction System An impulse-conducting system composed of modified cardiac muscle, having the power of spontaneous rhythmicity and conduction more highly developed than the rest of the heart. Conduction System, Heart,Conduction Systems, Heart,Heart Conduction Systems,System, Heart Conduction,Systems, Heart Conduction
D006339 Heart Rate The number of times the HEART VENTRICLES contract per unit of time, usually per minute. Cardiac Rate,Chronotropism, Cardiac,Heart Rate Control,Heartbeat,Pulse Rate,Cardiac Chronotropy,Cardiac Chronotropism,Cardiac Rates,Chronotropy, Cardiac,Control, Heart Rate,Heart Rates,Heartbeats,Pulse Rates,Rate Control, Heart,Rate, Cardiac,Rate, Heart,Rate, Pulse
D000431 Ethanol A clear, colorless liquid rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body. It has bactericidal activity and is used often as a topical disinfectant. It is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations as well as serving as the primary ingredient in ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. Alcohol, Ethyl,Absolute Alcohol,Grain Alcohol,Alcohol, Absolute,Alcohol, Grain,Ethyl Alcohol
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014693 Ventricular Fibrillation A potentially lethal cardiac arrhythmia that is characterized by uncoordinated extremely rapid firing of electrical impulses (400-600/min) in HEART VENTRICLES. Such asynchronous ventricular quivering or fibrillation prevents any effective cardiac output and results in unconsciousness (SYNCOPE). It is one of the major electrocardiographic patterns seen with CARDIAC ARREST. Fibrillation, Ventricular,Fibrillations, Ventricular,Ventricular Fibrillations
D015636 Magnesium Chloride Magnesium chloride. An inorganic compound consisting of one magnesium and two chloride ions. The compound is used in medicine as a source of magnesium ions, which are essential for many cellular activities. It has also been used as a cathartic and in alloys. MgCl2,Chloride, Magnesium

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