The effect of moclobemide, reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase-A, on the alcoholized rat brain

This experiment was carried out to demonstrate the effect of moclobemide on the brains of rats fed on a diet containing alcohol. Thirty male rats, 200250 g were used. Rats were fed with a diet (milk) containing ethyl alcohol (10%) in the alcohol-only treated group and were injected subcutaneously with moclobemide (30 mg/kg) in the alcohol+moclobemide treated group daily for 21 days. It is found that the serum ethanol level in the alcohol+moclobemide treated group was significantly higher than in alcohol-only treated group at the end of the experiment. Electron microscopic examination revealed more prominent neurotoxicity in the alcohol+moclobemide treated group than in alcohol-only treated group. We concluded that moclobemide decreases the elimination of ethanol. However, more studies are needed to demonstrate its mechanism.