Lowering of blood acetaldehyde levels-a possible approach to prevention of alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

Based on the assumption that circulating acetaldehyde (AcH) is cardiotoxic, D-penicillamine was administered to dogs given alcohol orally, or given AcH intravenously. Paralleling the increase in plamsa norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) induced by AcH infusion, hemodynamic measurements showed a positive inotropic response with increase in pulse, blood pressure, left ventricular contractility, and cardiac output. Infusion of D-penicillamine abruptly lowered circulating levels of AcH and catecholamines, which was accompanied by an appropriate hemodynamic response.