Damage of rat small intestine induced by ethanol. Effect of ethanol on fecal excretion of intestinal alkaline phosphatase.

Single administration of ethanol or alcoholic beverages (5g ethanol/kg body weight) induces a decrease of the 24h excretion of fecal intestinal alkaline phosphatase (I-AP) activity of 28% (P less than 0.05) in comparison to controls (0.9% saline). Administration of higher amounts of 20% (v/v) ethanol (8g/kg body weight on 3 consecutive days) yields a decrease of fecal I-AP excretion up to 82% (P less than 0.005) in comparison to controls (saturated glucose solution). The interpretation of these results as a toxic effect of ethanol to small intestinal mucosa was supported by measurement of enzymatic activity in the small intestinal mucosa and by morphometric data.