Changes in protein, RNA and DNA content in various rat organs after long-term intake of ethanol

Male Wistar rats were given ethanol (approximately 25% of total caloric intake), while two different control groups were pair-fed isocaloric amounts of lipids or sucrose. After 7--10 weeks the following organs were studied: liver, cerebrum, heart, diaphragm, kidneys and testes. In fasted, ethanol treated rats there was a reduction in the hepatic concentration of RNA and the cerebral RNA/DNA ratio, when compared to both control groups, while no effects were found with respect to organ weight and amounts of protein, RNA or DNA in heart, diaphragm, kidneys and testes. When fed, ethanol treated animals were compared to both control groups, no effects on organ weight and composition were found in any tissue studied. Several significant differences were registered in the ethanol group as compared to one control group only, as well as between the two control groups. The consumption of ethanol (25% of total calories) thus caused only minor alterations in gross organ composition. These results also indicate the importance of interpreting with care any apparent effect of ethanol ingestion, unless at least two different control groups have been employed.