SINGLE AND MULTIPLE DOSE EFFECTS OF ETHANOL CONSUMPTION ON THE RATE OF GASTRIC EMPTYING AND ABSORPTION OF FOOD MATERIALS IN THE SMALL INTESTINE OF WISTAR RATS

¹Anthony.E. Ojieh, ¹Simon.I. Ovuakporaye, ²Ighele E. Awire, ³Harrison. O. Otamere

¹Department of Physiology, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

²Department of Medical Biochemistry, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

³Department of Physiology, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

Email: tonniojie@yahoo.com, ighele@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The rate at which the stomach empties is regulated by signals from both the stomach and duodenum. Usually, chyme empties into the duodenum at a rate not greater than the rate at which it can be digested and absorbed into the small intestine. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of multiple and single dose of ethanol on the rate of gastric emptying and absorption of food materials in the small intestine. Eighteen male rats with an average weight (220±0.67) were divided into 3groups (n=6). They were each feed with the 11g of the prepared test meal. The control rats were allowed free access to water, while the experimental rats were given 2.73g/kg ethanol orally. Once for the single dose group, and daily for 2weeks for the multiple dose group. At the end of three hours, blood samples were collected for analysis and the abdomen of the rats were cut open after being anaesthetized, to determine the quantity of food left in the stomach in each group. The result showed a statistically significant difference in mean blood levels of plasma triglycerides, proteins and glucose. Triglycerides (control –117.08±9.27mg/dl, single dose –151.67±6.79mg multiple dose – 185.35±2.11mg/dl). (glycerol phosphate oxidase  method- Tietz, 1995) Glucose (Control – 87.49±1.67mg/dl, Single dose—76.92±2.22mg/dl, Multiple dose-68.82±1.41mg/dl). (Glucose oxidase method- Teuscher and Richterich, 1971). Proteins (Control –7.08±0.19g/dl, Single dose – 6.01±0.05g/dl, multiple doses – 5.35±0.09g/dl). (Biuret method-Tietz, 1995). Rate of gastric Emptying, gotten by dividing the gastric emptying by 180minutes showed, (0.025±002g/dl – control, 0.021±0.01g/min – single dose, 0.019±0.01g/min –multiple doses). Ethanol consumed either as a single dose or multiple doses can alter the rate of gastric emptying and absorption of food material in the small intestine.

Keywords: Ethanol, Absorption, Small intestine, Chyme.