Effect of ethanol on utilization of plasma free fatty acids for liver triacylglycerol synthesis and its relation to hepatic triacylglycerol accumulation in rats.

The effect of 3 different single doses of ethanol on the liver triacylglycerol concentration and on the metabolism of intravenously injected 14C-oleic acid in fasted rats was studied. All 3 doses (2, 3.75, and 6 g ethanol/kg body wt) caused a rapid increase in the liver triacylglycerol concentration during the first 5-6 hr after the ethanol was given. Until the plasma ethanol concentration had fallen to low values, the high liver triacylglycerol levels were raised and were independent of the ethanol dose given. The incorporation of radioactivity from intravenously injected 14C-oleic acid into liver triacylglycerols was increased over control values to the same extent in all rats given ethanol as long as the plasma ethanol concentration was above a low level. High rates of ethanol oxidation and increased utilization of plasma free fatty acids for liver triacylglycerol synthesis were closely correlated with the development and maintenance of the ethanol induced liver triacylglycerol accumulation.