INHIBITORY MECHANISM OF INTESTINAL ETHANOL ABSORPTION INDUCED BY HIGHACETALDEHYDE CONCENTRATIONS - EFFECT OF INTESTINAL BLOOD-FLOW AND SUBSTANCE SPECIFICITY

This study describes the effects of high blood acetaldehyde concentrat ions on the intestinal absorption of ethanol and 2-butanone using an i n situ single-pass perfusion technique on the rat intestine and the co lored microsphere method to measure intestinal blood flow. We found th at high blood acetaldehyde concentrations inhibit intestinal ethanol a bsorption in an inverse proportion to peak acetaldehyde concentrations , decrease intestinal blood flow, and inhibit intestinal absorption of 2-butanone. The decrease of the intestinal blood flow, induced by hig h blood acetaldehyde concentrations, is a major mechanism inhibiting i ntestinal ethanol absorption, but other mechanisms are also thought to inhibit absorption. Therefore, inhibition by high acetaldehyde concen trations is not the only factor affecting ethanol absorption.