Effect of ethanol on sodium-dependent glucose transport in the small intestine of the hamster
Dinda, P.K.; Beck, I.T.; Beck, M.; McElligott, T.F.
Gastroenterology 68(6): 1517-1526
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0016-5085 PMID: 1132633 Document Number: 85704
The mechanism by which ethanol inhibits intestinal absorption of sugars was studied in vitro. Everted jejunal segments from female hamsters were incubated in a medium containing ethanol. Net transport of water and glucose was inhibited by ethanol. Intracellular water content decreased and intracellular Na and K concentrations of the jejunal segments increased. In contrast, intracellular glucose concentration decreased in the presence of ethanol. Those ethanol-induced changes were directly related to the ethanol concentration of the mucosal solution. Ethanol 450 mmoles/litre in the mucosal solution significantly inhibited transmural potential difference, estimated glucose metabolism and both unidirectional fluxes of Na. The net flux of Na to the serosal side did not decrease significantly. Those effects of ethanol could not be fully explained by its osmotic action, and it was suggested that the ethanol-induced reduction in glucose transport could be mainly the result of an interference with the carrier-mediated coupled entrance of glucose and Na across the brush border. A depression of cellular metabolism could have played a part in that process.