Effects of ethanol intake on lipid metabolism in the lactating rat.

Abstract

Effects of ethanol intake on lipid metabolism in the lactating rat. ALCOHOL 13(5) 443-448. 1996.-Femalc rals receiving alcohol (20%) in drinking water during lactation (AL) were compared lo pair-fed ,inimals (l'F) and normal controls (C) fed ad lib. All animals were killed on the 12th day of lactation. When compared to C mis, food intake decreased in both AL and PF groups. and this effect was followed by a lower body weight nnd mammary gland (MG). liver. and parametrial adipose tissue weights. Mammary glands tri,1cylglyceride concentration (TG) was much lower in l'F lhan in AL. although in the latter. values <.lid not reach lhose of C'. and had higher liver TG conccnlration than ;1ny of the other group.~. Both l'F and AL rats had lower plasma TG. glycerol, and free folly acid concentrations ur1<.I higher (3;-hydroxybutyrnte concenlrntion than C rats. When compared to C rals. the rnte of lipogencsis in MG was higher in bolh PF and AL mis. whereas in liver it was higher in PF and lower in AL rats, and in adipose tissue it wns higher in PF and unchanged in AL nils. The appearance of uc lipids 4 h after ornl (1 4 jlriolcin in both MG and liver was lower in AL and PF rnts and only lower in adipose tissue of AL rats as compared lo the C rnts. Lipopmtein lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase activities were lower in MG in holh PF and AL rats lhan in C. whereas in adipose tissue the activity of lipoprolein lipase did nol differ between AL and C rats and the activity of I ISL was lower in the former. These findings therefore show that in spite of re<.luce<.1 upt,1ke of ornlly administered lriglyceri<.les due lo decreased LPL aclivily, maternal alcohol feeding during lactation in the rat preserves the mammary !!land triglyceride content thanks to enhanced lipogcnetic activity. On the olher hand. it causes liver triglycerides accumulation. probably as a result of the decreased rate of triglycerides released into circulation. and these changes are not caused hy the reduced food in lake of the animals.