A Probable Direct Role of Ethanol in the Pathogenesis of Fat Infiltration in the Rat

Recently, a fat release mechanism was proposed that could explain, at least partially, fat infiltration resulting from carbon tetrachloride poisoning. Hence, a study was made to determine whether such a mechanism also operates subsequent to alcohol intoxication. Normal and chronically ethanol-treated rats were used after maintaining them with an adequate purified diet for 40 weeks. The ethanol-treated rats were given 20% alcohol as the sole drinking fluid. Either water or a 1:1 ethanol solution (95% ethanol:water, v/v) was given to the animals of both groups with a stomach tube and a fat-clearing blocking agent (Superinone) was injected intravenously 2 hours after intubation. Ninety minutes later blood plasma and livers were analyzed for triglyceride content. The results indicate that ethanol during both acute and chronic intoxication probably produces a direct toxic effect on the liver which could interfere with the release of hepatic triglycerides into the blood. Moreover, the transport of peripheral triglycerides to the liver does not appear to be a major factor in alcoholic fatty infiltration.