[Omeo33] Art 0959 - Med Science Monitor, 2008, 14 (9), SC11-SC13

[Gino Santini]

Homeopathic ethanol
Richard M. Kream, George B. Stefano

Ethanol has had a long and deep association with the historical 
development of world culture. Ostensibly, its consumption has both 
short and long term positive and negative effects, based on moderate 
or excessive intake, respectively. The predominant thrust of 
empirical research, however, into the multiple biological effects of 
ethanol has led to its negative designation as a major addictive 
substance. Multiple lines of research have elucidated functional 
interactions of ethanol in opioid modulation of dopaminergic 
transmission in CNS reward systems. In parallel, recent work has 
demonstrated that animal cells have the ability to effect de novo 
synthesis of chemically authentic morphine from dopamine (DA) and 
DA-related aromatic precursor molecules. Interestingly, we have 
observed that sub-threshold concentrations of ethanol alter cellular 
distributions of endogenously expressed morphine. Reciprocal 
autocrine/paracrine modulatory effects of very low concentrations of 
morphine in concert with ethanol also suggest the potential for 
endogenous expression and action of homeopathic concentrations of 
ethanol within discrete cellular microdomains. Perturbation of this 
subtle regulatory relationship by exogenous intake of ethanol may 
shed light on the biochemical and molecular bases of reward and 
addictive states.

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