α-Tocopherol mitigates ethanol induced malformations and cell damage in the eye and brain of the chick embryo

The goal of this study is to investigate the ability of vitamin E in the active form α-tocopherol to mitigate the ethanol induced damaging effects and malformations in the developing chick embryo. Fertilized eggs were divided into five groups; the control group, and treated groups. The experimental groups were injected, in the air sac, before incubation with a single dose of 100 μl saline solution, 100 μl of 10% ethanol in saline solution, a mixture of 100 μl of 10% ethanol and 200 ppm vitamin E or 10% ethanol and 400 ppm vitamin E. Treatment of developing chick embryos with 10% ethanol resulted in growth retardation and malformations in the eye, brain, limbs and other body parts. Ethanol exerted its degenerative effects probably via increasing membrane fluidity leading to membrane damage and significantly increased levels of lipid peroxidation. Ethanol also induced significant reduction in nitric oxide levels resulting in reduced body weight of the treated embryo probably due to restricted bold flow. Ethanol significantly increased glutathione level as a defense response. Vitamin C levels were significantly decreased after ethanol treatment due to oxidation or utilization. Vitamin E in the active form α-tocopherol partially mitigated the ethanol damaging effects either by exerting its antioxidant properties leading to a significant reduction of lipid peroxidation levels, retaining normal levels of nitric oxide or maintaining normal levels of endogenous antioxidants, glutathione and vitamin C.