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Department of Zoology, University of Kuwait, P.O. Box: 5969, Safat, 13060, Kuwait

ABSTRACT

The effect of ethanol on fluid. sodium and sugar transfer was investigated in vitro using everted sacs of rat jejunum or ileum. Ethanol inhibited fluid transfer in the presence of both actively and non-actively transported sugars. The kinetic parameters (apparenlt Michalis constanl, apparent Km and maximum transporl rate. V_max) obtained from the results were used to characterize he changes induced by ethanol. Ethanol decreased the V_max of glucose and 3-0-methyl glucose but had no significant effect on the apparent Km of these sugars. Ethanol also decreased the mucosal transfer and metabolism of fructose. These effects of ethanol  were probably mediated by its action on the transfer of sodium across the small intestine of the rat.