Effect of long term intake of ethanol on nutritional status of rats

This study sought to determine nutritional parameters after chronic administration of ethanol in rats. Control and ethanol-fed rats was fed with a standard control diet. Ethanol-rats also have ethanol in the drinking water during 30 weeks. We have found that the food intake in the ethanol-fed rats is lower than in the control rats, this difference is significant along the totality of the experimental period. The liquid fluid consumption is also lower in the ethanol-fed rats, although at the beginning of the experimental period is similar in both studied groups. The intake of total calories is high in the ethanol-fed rats at the induction period and the second month, but is lower in the rest of the experimental period, as a consequence of the lower intake of food. The body weights are lower in the ethanol-fed rats, and this difference is significant from the third month until the end of the experimental period. In summary, there is a lower weight in the ethanol-fed rats group for the effect of a lower caloric intake, and perhaps also for a wastage of energy. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.