The effect of chronic ethanol administration on lipogenesis in liver and adipose tissue in the rat

Rates of lipogenesis de novo have been studied in liver and epididymal fat pads of male rats chronically treated with ethanol. A solution of ethanol (150 ml/l) was administered as the only drinking fluid for 3 months with a standard solid diet; both food and drink were available ad lib. Lipogenesis in vivo was measured by the incorporation of tritiated water into lipid fractions: non-saponifiable lipid and fatty acids. Non-saponifiable lipid, both in liver and in adipose tissue, was unaffected by ethanol treatment. However, fatty acid synthesis de novo was significantly enhanced in both liver and adipose tissue, by 150 and 300% respectively. Plasma triacylglycerol and non-esterified fatty acid levels were unchanged and plasma glucose concentration slightly increased by ethanol administration. The rate of lipogenesis increased when insulin: glucagon increased twofold due to the effect of ethanol.