Acute Ethanol Intoxication Decreases Subsequent Food Intake and Changes Hepatic Microsomal Enzyme Activities Similarly to Fasting

: The effect of intragastric ethanol, 7.8 g/kg, on the microsomal enzyme activities NADPH cytochrome c reductase, aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase, were investigated in two sizes (150 g and 260 g) of mature male rats having free access to food and water for the 23 hours following ethanol administration. Controls received intragastric water and were given free access to food and water (fed controls) or only water (fasted controls). The ethanol group had a significantly lower food intake than the fed control group, and food intake in the large rats was more decreased by ethanol than that of the small rats, corresponding to slower recovery from intoxication. Ethanol and fasting increased aniline hydroxylation and decreased acetone enhancement of aniline hydroxylation to the same degree, whereas only fasting caused a significant decrease in aminopyrine N-demethylation. Some of the effects of acute ethanol intoxication on hepatic microsomal enzyme activities appear to be mediated via decreased food intake.