Chemical Mediators in Ethanol-Induced Increased Jejunal Microvascular Permeability

The intraluminal ethanol concentration in the jejunum of man varies between 2% and 9% w/v [1] in the course of moderate drinking. This concentration is 15–100 times higher than that which occurs in the blood (0.08%–0.15%) during mild inebriation. Ethanol is transferred across the epithelial layer of the jejunum by simple diffusion [2]. The capillaries and postcapillary venules of the jejunal villus lie in close proximity to the epithelium. They are separated from the lumen only by a sheet of epithelial cells, the basal lamina of the villous core, and a very thin and loose connective tissue layer. Because of this, ethanol can reach the microvessels in high concentrations and could initiate microvascular damage.