Effect of ethanol on liver triglyceride concentration in fed and fasted rats

The effect of ethanol, given by gastric tube or by intraperitoneal injection, on the liver triglyceride concentration in fasted and ad libitum fed rats was investigated. Ethanol, independent of the route of administration, increased the liver triglyceride concentration in fasted rats during an 8 hr period but caused a much smaller increase in the ad libitum fed rats. The incorporation of intravenous injected³H-oleic acid into the liver triglycerides increased significantly after ethanol feeding in fasted but not in fed rats. Based upon this and the plasma free fatty acid concentrations, it is concluded that ethanol causes a marked increase in the utilization of plasma free fatty acids for synthesis of liver triglycerides in fasted but not in fed rats. It is suggested that this is part of the explanation for the different responses to ethanol of the liver triglyceride concentrations in fasted and fed rats.