| Abstract: | The activity of 5'-nucleotidase of rat liver plasma membranes has been investigated in normal and acutely ethanol-intoxicated rats (7 g ethanol/Kg body wt). Ethanol was also added to the incubation mixture for 5'-nucleotidase assay. The alcohol modified the Km of the enzyme when added to plasma membranes of normal rats; moreover, it increased the activation energy of the reaction. The treatment with the alcohol in vivo lowered the Vmax, but no modifications of Km could be detected in this case, upon further addition of the toxic in vitro. It is concluded that ethanol is able to act by itself on 5'-nucleotidase activity of rat liver plasma membranes; however, ethanol produces other effects in vivo, probably due to its metabolism. |
