Synergism between alcohol and non-alcohol caloric intake in chronic alcoholic rats: Effects of intragastric alcohol infusion on diet intake and blood alcohol levels

Macronutrient deficiency plays a major role in the induction of high blood alcohol levels and fatty liver in chronic alcoholic rats. In the present study, alcohol in graded doses was continuously infused through gastrostomy cannula, and rats were allowed to ingest ad libitum a nutritionally balanced diet. Intragastric infusion of alcohol in the range of 1.3-4.8g/rat per day caused decreased oral food intake; this reduced dietary energy intake was equivalent to the energy derived from the metabolism of alcohol. Weight gain (5.0 ± 1.7 g per day) in alcohol infused rats was similar to those fed the control liquid diet or the pellet diet, and the BAL in these rats were insignificant. Intragastric infusion of alcohol greater than 4.8g/rat per day was accompanied by a 60% reduction in oral food intake, loss of weight (-3.0 ± 1.8g/per day), and high BAL (256.5 ± 77.5 mgdl). These observations suggest that the hepatic capacity for alcohol metabolism under the conditions in our model is approximately 4.8g/rat per day. In doses less than 4.8g per day, alcohol serves as an energy source complementing non-alcohol calories, but in doses greater than 4.8 g per day, alcohol causes a profound decrease in food intake accompanied by elevated BAL.