Adaptive changes in rat liver plasma membranes after chronic alcohol administration and its subsequent withdrawal

Rat hepatic plasma membranes isolated after chronic alcohol feeding displayed a different buoyant density range with a significantly increased peak density value when spun isopycnically in a 30-50% sucrose (w/w) gradient. This change persisted up to 48 h of withdrawal from alcohol. Analysis of membrane lipids revealed certain significant alterations in the phospholipids as well as the fatty acyl composition in individual phospholipids of the experimental plasma membranes. During withdrawal of alcohol for 48 h, all the alcohol-induced changes in the phospholipids returned to normal. Most initial changes in fatty acids reverted to the control composition during this time, but new changes in fatty acyl distribution were also observed. These were interpreted to represent readaptation to the withdrawal of the alcohol. It is not established how long this readaptation period lasts.