HEPATIC LIPID PROFILES IN MINIATURE PIGS AFTER ALCOHOL FEEDING

Changes in lipid profiles have not been reported for the known increas es in total lipid content in livers of alcoholics. We have reported a lowering of the P-oxidative capacity of alcoholic livers, and therefor e would expect a lower turnover of fatty acids in these livers, and th us a change in lipid profile. The percentage composition of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the liver of alcohol-fed miniature pigs versus the controls, as well as the function of distance from the mai n hepatic vein, have both been determined in this study involving the feeding of ethanol for one year. Livers of alcohol-fed miniature pigs contained more total lipids than those of controls. Results also indic ated significantly higher percentages of free fatty acids and triglyce rides in the alcohol-fed miniature pigs, and also an increase in perce ntage total neutral lipids. The effect of distance from the main blood source (and therefore oxygenation) gave a fatty acid profile that sho wed an increase in the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids w ith increasing distance from the right hepatic vein. This change in ra tio was independent of alcohol feeding.