Effect of chronic ethanol-feeding on the major lipids of red blood cells, liver and heart of rhesus monkey

Abstract The effect of chronic ethanol-feeding for a period of 12 weeks on the lipids of red blood cells, liver and heart of rhesus monkeys has been investigated. Ethanol replaced 40% of the total calories of a nutritionally adequate fluid diet which was administered by tube to the experimental animals. It was found that the lipids of red blood cells of ethanol-fed animals increased by 56% which was due to elevation in neutral and phospholipids. There was marked increase of neutral and phospholipids in the liver and neutral lipids in the heart of these animals. The main lipid accumulated in the tissues was triglyceride to the extent of five-fold in the liver and three-fold in the heart. A significant stimulation in the in vivo incorporation of [2- 14 C] acetate into various lipid classes of the tissues of the ethanol-fed animals suggested increased synthesis.