Response of the exocrine pancreas to the CCK on offspring rats of ethanol dams. Effects of folic acid.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to study the reverse effect of folic acid administered during gestation and lactation to ethanol-treated dams, on cholecystokinin Cholecystokinin (CCK) stimulus-secretion coupling in pancreatic exocrine secretion in offspring rats.


METHODS
Animals were randomized into three groups: Control group (C) received water and basic diet during pregnancy and lactation period; ethanol-treated rats (E) received ethanol and basic diet; the ethanol+folic acid group (EF) received folic acid supplement concomitantly with ethanol administration.


RESULTS
Body and pancreatic weight was lower in offsprings after ethanol treatment. Folic acid supplementation increased these parameters with respect to ethanol rats. After CCK stimulation, a significant decrease in amylase, lipase and chymotrypsin activities in the duodenal juice were detected in ethanol, this trend was partially corrected with folate supplementation.


CONCLUSIONS
Ethanol exerts its action on exocrine pancreatic secretion by two pathways: 'per se' and diminishing the folic acid content, because a folic acid supplement in rats during pregnancy and lactation periods produces an advantageous effect on amylase, lipase and chymotrypsin secretion in their offspring. Although extrapolation from animal studies may be tenuous, the present findings may explain the use of folic acid in the prevention of ethanol-induced damage by increasing the enzyme levels to adequate physiological concentrations.
Cano
M J
MJ
Department of Physiology and Zoology, Pharmacy Faculty, School of Pharmacy, University of Seville, c/ Tramontana s/n 41012 Seville, Spain.
García-Benítez
O
O
Ojeda
M L
ML
Murillo
M L
ML
Carreras
O
O
D000681:Amylases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002766:Cholecystokinin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004032:Diet; D004386:Duodenum / Q000378:metabolism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007774:Lactation; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D046790:Pancreas, Exocrine / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D000431:Ethanol; D002766:Cholecystokinin; D005492:Folic Acid; D012964:Sodium; D000681:Amylases; D011188:Potassium