Acute effects of ethanol and its metabolites on plasma lipids and lipoprotein lipase activity.

The effects of ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetate and lactate on lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and regulation have been investigated. None of the substances had any direct effect on the enzyme or enzyme-substrate complex. Ethanol and acetate interfered with LPL regulation studied in vitro using rat adipose tissue. Acetate administration to humans did not influence the activity of LPL and hepatic lipase in post-heparin plasma, nor was the intravenous fat tolerance test affected. Ethanol administration markedly increased and prolonged the hyperlipidemia induced by oral triglyceride intake; the effect of acetate was much less pronounced. Thus, acetate does not seem to interfere with LPL regulation in man. The previously described impairment in LPL activity and regulation after ethanol intake is probably mediated by ethanol itself.