The effect of acute ethanol treatment on lipid-reesterifying enzymes of the rat small bowel.

The acute effects of intraduodenal administration of ethanol, 5 g/kg body weight, on intestinal activities of lipid-reesterifying and disaccharidase enzymes of the small bowel were studied. Results were compared to those produced in controls receiving isocaloric amounts of glucose by the same route. Acyl-CoA:monoglyceride acyltransferase, acyl-CoA synthetase (acid:CoA ligase (AMP) EC 6.2.1.3), sucrase, and lactase assays were performed on jejunal samples; acyl-CoA synthetase assay was performed on ileal samples. Ethanol produced greater activities of the lipid-reesterifying enzymes in the jejunum than did glucose. Ileal specific activity of acyl-CoA synthetase was also increased in the experimental group. No effect of ethanol on jejunal disaccharidase enzyme activities was noted. It is concluded that ethanol given acutely has a specific stimulating effect on intestinal enzymes involved in lipid absorption.