Effect of ethanol on rat gastric surfactant: a fluorescence polarization study.
BACKGROUND
Gastric surfactant is believed to protect gastric mucosa by the hydrophobic properties of its phospholipidic component, which are reflected in the fluorescence polarization of a lipophylic fluorescent probe. The present study aimed to observe the consequences of intragastric administration of 40% ethanol on the physical properties of rat gastric surfactant.


METHODS
Fluorescence polarization studies and lipid composition of gastric mucosal surface scrapings were performed.


RESULTS
Time course experiments indicated that the ulcerogenic action of ethanol occurred along with a fluidization of the surface scrapings followed by secondary rigidification. The fluidizing effect of ethanol was related to modifications of the molecular dynamics of lipid structures. The rigidifying effect of ethanol was a result of an increase in the cholesterol-triglyceride and cholesterol-phospholipid ratios and an increase in the percent composition of phosphatidyl-ethanolamine of surface scrapings.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that alcohol could alter the gastric mucosal barrier by its disorganizing effect on the molecular dynamics of the gastric surfactant. The second rigidifying effect of ethanol could be a part of the damage repair phenomenon.
Mosnier
P
P
Laboratoire des Maladies Métaboliques, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique de Clermont-Ferrand-Theix, France.
Rayssiguier
Y
Y
Motta
C
C
Pelissier
E
E
Bommelaer
G
G
D000818:Animals; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005454:Fluorescence Polarization; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*
D008055:Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D000431:Ethanol