Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase activity is increased in rat intestinal brush-border membrane by chronic ethanol ingestion.

摘要

AIMS: Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) catalyses the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine from phosphatidylethanolamine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic ethanol ingestion on PEMT activity in the jejunal brush-border membrane (BBM) of adequately nourished rats. METHODS: For this purpose, rats were fed a liquid diet containing ethanol [ethanol-fed group (EFG)] or an isocaloric liquid diet without ethanol [pair-fed group (PFG)] for 4 weeks. Diet ingestion, body weight, nitrogen balance and urinary creatinine excretion were monitored during the experimental period, and serum transferrin levels were determined at the end. BBM was isolated for the determination of PEMT activity. RESULTS: PEMT activity was significantly increased in the jejunal BBM of the EFG. Nutritional parameters, however, did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in PEMT activity may be attributed exclusively to chronic ethanol ingestion, since a major nutritional deficit was excluded.