Adrenaline (via alpha(1B)-adrenoceptors) and ethanol stimulate OH* radical production in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Adrenaline is able to increase the oxidative damage caused by some xenobiotic agents in the liver. Ethanol produces oxidative changes in hepatic tissue, while an acute intoxication with alcohol increases adrenaline blood levels. The aim of this study was to determine whether adrenaline increases ethanol-induced hydroxyl free radical production in isolated hepatocytes. Adrenaline augmented hydroxyl radicals in a concentration-dependent manner and was blocked by chloroethylclonidine, an alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor antagonist, while adrenaline plus ethanol added their individual effects. It is suggested that adrenaline increases hydroxyl radicals by an alpha(1B)-adrenoceptor-mediated mechanism, while ethanol does so by a receptor-independent mechanism.