title: Phosphatidylethanol in rat organs after ethanol exposure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is an abnormal phospholipid formed in mammalian cells that have been exposed to ethanol. It has been suggested that PEth mediates some of the damaging effects of ethanol on cells. This study was performed to investigate the level of PEth in organs of rats after in vivo alcohol exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three exposure models were studied: (1) acute, intraperitoneal injection of ethanol (n = 3 x 3); (2) chronic, forced ethanol drinking (n = 6); and (3) chronic, free choice of ethanol (n = 20). PEth was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography after lipid extraction of the organs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One acute injection gave detectable PEth levels in most organs analyzed, with maximal levels reached after 2 hr. The highest levels were reached in intestines, stomach, and lung. No PEth was detected in skeletal muscle, pancreas, or testis. The two exposure models for oral intake of ethanol also gave detectable PEth levels in most organs. The highest levels were reached in stomach, lung, and spleen. PEth was detected in muscle only in animals with heavy total alcohol intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PEth is formed in most organs of rats exposed to ethanol acutely or chronically. Variations in PEth level and rates of PEth formation and PEth degradation are organ specific.
authors: Department of Medical Neurochemistry, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Sweden. steina.aradottir@neurokemi.lu.se
authors: Steina
authors: S
authors: Aradottir
authors: Christofer
authors: C
authors: Lundqvist
authors: Christer
authors: C
authors: Alling
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D020404:Glycerophospholipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014018:Tissue Distribution / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D020404:Glycerophospholipids; C051521:phosphatidylethanol; D000431:Ethanol