Effect of chronic ethanol consumption upon vitamin E and C tissue status in the guinea pig

A guinea pig study was carried out in order to evaluate the impact of chron ic alcohol administration upon vitamin E and C status, serum SGOT/SGPT enzy mes and hepatic lipid profile. Twenty seven weanling male guinea pigs were randomly allotted to either a control or alcohol group and carried over a 1 05 or 135 day period respectively. Alcohol was administered via the drinkin g water starting with a 2.5% solution (v/v) and gradually increased to 12.5 % (v/v) over a 30 day period and thereafter maintained continously for eith er 75 or 105 days, respectively. Control guinea pigs were used which they r eceived glucose via the drinking water to match isocalorically that provide d by the alcohol. At the end of the 105 and 135 day period, guinea pigs wer e sacrificed and various tissues harvested. No significant differences betw een the alcohol and control guinea pigs were found in vitamin E levels of e xtrahepatic tissues (adrenals, brain, heart, kidneys, lung, spleen, testis and plasma). As well, no significant time effects were observed in tissue v itamin E levels. Hepatic vitamin E levels, expressed per milligram total li pid were significantly reduced in guinea pigs receiving alcohol as compared to controls, while no significant time effect (105 vs 135 days) was observ ed. With regards to vitamin C status, only the liver and testis had signifi cantly lower ascorbic acid levels while the spleen had increased dehydroasc orbic acid levels compared to controls. Overall, tissue vitamin C status wa s not influenced by time. Hepatic triglycerides were significantly increase d by ethanol administration, whereas total phospholipid fraction remained u nchanged. No significant time effect was observed in hepatic triglyceride a nd phospholipid profile. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.