Acute effect of ethanol on intestinal calcium transport.

In vivo studies in rats demonstrated that acute intragastric administration of ethanol (3 g/kg BW) resulted in a reduced net absorption of fluid and calcium. Thirty minutes after an i.v. injection of 2 microCi 45Ca, the gastrointestinal 45Ca content in ethanol-treated rats was significantly higher than in controls indicating an increase in calcium secretion. The effect of ethanol on calcium movement was quantitated by measuring calcium fluxes across the in situ duodenal and ileal loops. Ethanol administration suppressed net duodenal calcium absorption by inhibiting the lumen to plasma flux of calcium. In contrast, ethanol enhanced plasma to lumen calcium flux in the ileum, resulting in net calcium secretion.