Plasma lipoproteins and fecal cholesterol excretion in rats drinking ethanol or beer

Three groups of 16 male rats were fed for 7 weeks restricted amounts of the same purified diet, but were given either a glucose solution (group A), ethanol/glucose (group B) or beer (group C), so that energy supply was the same in all groups. Ethanol provided 9% of energy in group B and C. Whole plasma triacylglycerol (TG) concentration rose during the initial 2 weeks in group B (to 140%) and C (to 120%); during the rest of the 7 week observation period there was in all groups about the same fall in plasma TG concentration. Values for cholesterol and phospholipids were alike in all groups. Plasma VLDL components were not significantly different in group A and B; group C had lower amount VLDL unesterified (UC) and esterified (CE) cholesterol, as well as phospholipids and TG than group B. LDL-UC and UC/CE ratio was lower in group C than in group A. HDL 3-UC and UC/CE was higher in group B than in group A, whereas HDL 3-TG was higher in group C than in group A. HDL 2 components were similar in all groups. Fecal excretion of cholesterol was reduced in both groups given alcohol. — The results suggest that various alcoholic beverages might influence plasma lipoproteins differently.