CHANGES IN HEPATIC COLLAGEN-METABOLISM IN RATS PRODUCED BY CHRONIC ETHANOL FEEDING

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 36  (2) , 206-214
Abstract
The effect of ethanol feeding for a period of 6 mo. on parameters of hepatic collagen metabolism was studied in the rat. Ethanol feeding resulted in small increases in the fibrous and ground substance components of hepatic collagen as measured by increases in collagen-bound hydroxyproline and hexosamine, respectively. Liver histology revealed fatty infiltration but no necrosis or fibrosis. The activity of collagen proline hydroxylase and the incorporation of labeled proline into collagen by liver slices, both of which are associated with collagen synthesis, were not changed. Ethanol feeding resulted in increases in the concentration of protein and DNA in the Kupffer cells but in no changes in collagenase activity. An increase in collagen degradation was suggested by the increase in the urinary excretion of hydroxyproline and glycosaminoglycans found after 2 and 6 mo. of ethanol feeding, respectively. Fatty infiltration of the liver in the rat, after prolonged ethanol feeding, is usually associated with increased deposition of chemically detectable collagen and evidence of increased collagen degradation, although on significant changes in parameters associated with hepatic collagen synthesis were found.