CHANGES IN THE ILEAL DISACCHARIDASE ACTIVITIES IN RATS AFTER LONG-TERM ETHANOL FEEDING

Brush border enzymatic activities (maltase, lactase and sucrase) have been determined in the ileal mucosa of rats subjected to a 30% ethanol ingestion for 3 and 5 months. The data were compared with the results obtained with control rats. Mucosal protein content after 3 months of ethanol treatment was similar to that of control rats. Maltase, lacta se and sucrase specific activities in ileal mucosa were significantly decreased in ethanol-fed animals as compared to control rats. After 5 months of ethanol consumption, the protein content was decreased in et hanol-fed rats. However, no differences were found between specific ac tivities of maltase, lactase and sucrase of ethanol-fed with respect t o control rats. It is suggested that prolonged exposure of rats to eth anol results in adaptive responses to the effects of shorter periods o f exposure on intestinal mucosal function.