Formation of esterified fatty acids in rats administered 1-butanol and 1-pentanol.

The esterification of fatty acids by ethanol via a nonoxidative pathway has been well documented and has been implicated in toxic effects in animals and humans. The administration of 1-butanol (1 ml/kg, ip) to rats resulted in the formation of butyl esters of palmitate, stearate and oleate in the liver but not in measurable quantities in lung or pancreas. 1-Pentanol (amyl alcohol) administration (0.25 ml/kg, ip) did not result in esterification of fatty acids in any tissue. The data suggest that chain length may be important in the ability of alcohols to esterify fatty acids in vivo.