[Structural and functional characteristic of rat jejunum after long-term exposure to alcohol]

Histological, morphometric and histochemical analysis of the mucous membrane of the jejunum was performed in 40 adult male rats after alcohol intoxication of 2,4 and 6 month duration. It was shown that alcohol intoxication for 2 months resulted in mucosal hypertrophy of the jejunum with a significant increase in the number of goblet cells. After 4 months, there was a tendency for the inhibition of the mitotic activity of enterocytes with the decrease of their regeneration activity. Atrophy of the mucous membrane was aggravated by the 6th month. Morphological changes in the mucous membrane were associated with the inhibition of alkaline phosphatase activity in the enterocytes. Most pronounced decrease in the activity of the enzyme was detected in the cells located at the top of intestinal villi. Maximal enzyme activity inhibition was observed after 6 months.