The Effects of Acute and Chronic Exposure to Ethanol on Chicken Brain Homocysteine and Leptin

Background: Leptin is one of the possible mediators of ethanol intake. On the other hand, the concentration of total plasma homocysteine (Hcy) is a well-established indicator for the risk of cardiovascular disease and seems to be related to ethanol consumption. So, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of acute (70%) and chronic (10%) exposure to evaporated ethanol on: 1-brain leptin and Hcy concentration on the 15th day of embryonic development of chick. 2- brain leptin and Hcy concentration immediately after hatch of chick and 3- serum leptin concentration immediately after hatch of chick. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 60 fertilized eggs were used. Eggs were divided into control; acute exposure to ethanol and chronic exposure to ethanol. Hcy was measured by using enzyme-linked assay and leptin was measured with the chick leptin radioimmunoassay kit. Results: Data showed brain Hcy concentration on the 15th day of embryonic stage of chicken that acute and chronic exposure to ethanol significantly (p < 0.05) decreased, but did not have any effect on brain Hcy concentration immediately after hatch in chicken that acute and chronic exposure to ethanol during embryonic stages. Acute and chronic exposure to ethanol during embryonic stages significantly (p < 0.05) increased brain leptin on the 15th day of embryonic stage, brain leptin immediately after hatch of chicken and plasma leptin immediately after hatch of chicken. Conclusion: Present results indicated that acute and chronic exposure to ethanol by evaporation in embryonic stage of chicken can change the brain Hcy, brain leptin and serum leptin.