Effect of alcohol and dietary deprivation on absorption of xylose from the rat small intestine

Summary

The xylose absorptive capacity of rats on four experimental diets were studied by a modification of the Cori technic. Diet I was nutritionally adequate; Diet II, nutritionally inadequate; Diet III, like Diet I but containing less protein and more carbohydrate; Diet IV, like Diet III, but containing still less protein and still more carbohydrates. Each group of experimental animals was given one of these diets plus water, 20% alcohol, water plus congeners of whiskey, or 20% alcohol plus congeners. Four groups of animals were treated for 3 wk., four others for 4 mo., and the last four groups for 1 yr. A deficient diet alone, alcohol alone, and a combination of the two resulted in a reduction in xylose absorption in the youngest animals. Animals fed a 10% protein diet and alcohol, as well as animals fed a control diet and alcohol with congeners, exhibited a decrease in xylose absorption.