Chronic ethanol feeding affects intestinal mucus lipid composition and glycosylation in rats

Effect of chronic ethanol feeding on mucus lipid composition and glycosylation was investigated in rat intestine. Ethanol feeding to rats daily for 40 days enhanced cholesterol, phospholipids, triglyceride and cerebroside contents of intestinal mucus. Ethanol feeding exhibited a differential effect on various sugar contents of the mucus. Total hexose content was increased (42%) whereas hexosamines, sialic acid and fucose contents were reduced (p < 0.001). Results on incorporation of labeled sugars into mucus revealed an enhanced (p < 0.01) galactosylation and reduced (p < 0.01) glucosamination of glycoproteins. Separation of glycoproteins on SDS-PAGE showed that proteins of molecular weight >200, 118, 65 and 55 kD were affected. These were highly galactosylated and less glucosaminated in ethanol-fed animals compared to controls. Thus, ethanol feeding markedly alters the lipid composition and glycosylation process of intestinal mucus in rats. These alterations may be of pathological significance in view of the role of mucus in protection and adhesion of microorganisms.