Studies on ethanol and/or nicotine induced acute changes in the levels of plasma amino acids and other biochemical parameters of male Wistar rats.

The effects of acute administration of ethanol and nicotine either singly or in combination, have been studied on the plasma amino acids levels and certain biochemical and hematological parameters in the rats. Both ethanol and its combination with nicotine produced significant reduction in the levels of a number of amino acids and the total amino acid pool. Only the levels of taurine and hydroxyproline were increased in the ethanol treated rats, whereas its combination with nicotine resulted in markedly elevated levels of hydroxyproline, ornithine and taurine. These changes were also accompanied by a significant rise in blood glucose, ALT, AST, blood urea and uric acid and a significant reduction in the total protein and triglycerides levels. Nicotine by itself produced less profound effect on the plasma amino acids and other biochemical parameters.