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Prenatal exposure to alcohol in rat: effect on intestinal enzymes in offspring
Insights
Prenatal alcohol exposure in rats reduced protein digestion abilities in offspring. These effects were temporary, with normal development observed after alcohol withdrawal at birth.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Developmental Biology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Prenatal exposure to ethanol can impact offspring development.
- Intestinal hydrolase activity is crucial for nutrient absorption.
- The effects of gestational alcohol exposure on postnatal intestinal development require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of prenatal ethanol exposure on intestinal hydrolase activities during postnatal development in rats.
- To determine if observed effects are reversible after alcohol withdrawal at birth.
Main Methods:
- Rats were exposed to ethanol (20%) or water during gestation.
- Intestinal hydrolase activities (sucrase, lactase, glucoamylase, aminopeptidase) were measured at 2 and 4 weeks postpartum.
- Body weight and intestinal enzyme activity in the proximal jejunum were assessed.
Main Results:
- Offspring exposed to ethanol prenatally exhibited reduced body weight and lower aminopeptidase activity at 2 weeks.
- These deficits were reversible by 4 weeks postpartum.
- Prenatal ethanol exposure did not alter sucrase maturation or the activities of lactase and glucoamylase.
Conclusions:
- Gestational ethanol exposure impairs the intestinal protein digestion capacity of offspring.
- The negative effects on intestinal hydrolase activity are temporary and reversible upon withdrawal at birth.
Abstract:
Intestinal hydrolase activities were studied during postnatal development in the offspring of rats exposed to 20% ethanol during gestation; alcohol was withdrawn at birth. Controls received water during gestation. Sucrase, lactase, glucoamylase and aminopeptidase activities were determined 2 and 4 weeks after birth in the proximal jejunum. Offspring prenatally exposed to ethanol showed a deficit in body weight and lower aminopeptidase activity during the suckling period (2 weeks). These effects were reversible by 4 weeks when alcohol was withdrawn at birth. The prenatal exposure to ethanol did not change the pattern of sucrase maturation in the intestine of offsprings. The activities of lactase and glucoamylase were not modified following prenatal exposure to ethanol. In conclusion, exposure to ethanol during gestation caused decreased abilities for the intestine of the offspring to digest protein.