Effect of ethanol administration on plasma glycerol levels in the rat

Many mechanisms have been postulated as being responsible for the fatty liver resulting from ethanol ingestion. Lipid mobilization has been strongly implicated in both acute and chronic ethanol administration--the difference between the two lying in the source of the fat. In the acute situation, the lipid is mobilized from depot fat, whereas in the chronic situation, it apparently comes from the diet. One possibility not explored is the mobilization of glycerol. This substance is the backbone of triglyceride. Hence, an influx of glycerol to the liver coupled with increased amounts of fatty acids could help explain, in part, the fatty liver resulting from alcohol administration. The purpose of the following study was to determine if such an effect does occur.