Effects of Ethanol on Contraction Strength of Chick Neck Striatum Muscle Following Electrical Stimulation of the Nerve

Ethanol is a suitable solvent for many in vivo and ex vivo studies. However, it can interfere with normal muscle contraction and make variations in the results. Contrary to the present study, previous investigations revealed the suppressant effect of ethanol on muscle contraction.

This study was based on an isolated chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle using the twitch tension recording technique. Nerve and muscle complexes were exposed to several concentrations of ethanol (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 mM), and impulses were recorded.

Twitch height increased in time and dose-dependent manner, and the concentration of 500 mM of ethanol after 30 minutes revealed the most elevation of muscle impulses.

The potential effects of ethanol on striated muscle contraction are important and should be considered in studies using ethanol as a solvent.