Topic Highlights
Copyright ©2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng.
World J Gastroenterol. Mar 14, 2009; 15(10): 1168-1177
Published online Mar 14, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.1168
Table 2 The effect of acute alcohol abuse on GI system
GI segmentEffect of acute alcohol exposure
Oral cavityUnknown
EsophagusLow concentrations of alcohol (up to 5%) cause alterations in ion transports and affect the barrier function
Concentrations of alcohol of 10% and above cause injury of mucosa
Co-carcinogenic potency
Motor dysfunction: decrease in lower esophageal sphincter pressure and amplitude
StomachMotor dysfunction: Inhibition of gastric emptying
Mucosal damage, impaired barrier function, increased epithelial permeability
Pro-inflammatory reaction: decreased gastric blood flow, vascular damage, polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) dependent- and independent-mucosal damage
Aggravation of H pylori infection
IntestineDisruption of barrier function
Epithelial apoptosis
Enhanced bioavailability of some alcohol-soluble drugs and impaired absorption of key nutrients
Increased paracellular intestinal permeability to toxins
LiverHepatocytes:
Amplification of Fas-mediated hepatocyte death
Generation of oxidative stress
Hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction
Increased free iron levels
Imbalanced fatty acid metabolism
Inhibition of IFN-α-induced antiviral response towards hepatotropic viruses including hepatitis C virus favors hepatitis C virus replicon expression
Induced histone H3 acetylation leading to increased gene expression in the liver
Limited hepatic protein synthesis
Arrest of liver regeneration early after partial hepatectomy and suppression of hepatic stimulator substance (HSS) activity by induction of liver cell cycle arrest
Kupffer cells:
Suppressed LPS-mediated priming for enhanced CC-chemokine release in vitro; up-regulated expression of CC-chemokine mRNA; primed the KC for enhanced RANTES release
Desensitized HIV-1 gp120-induced CC-chemokine production
Downregulates HIV-1 glycoprotein 120-induced KC and RANTES production
Regulates production of reactive oxygen species
Modulate the tolerance to LPS
Stellate cells:
Imbalanced redox potential owed to increased generation of reactive oxygen species upon GSH depletion
PancreasStimulates islet blood flow, amplifies insulin secretion, induces hypoglycemia
Lower baseline amylase output of acinar pancreatic cells, with the difference being significantly exacerbated by cerulein stimulation
Interference with release of oxidized proteins in acinar cells
Predisposes the pancreas to postprandial cholinergic stimulation that triggers cellular events leading to pancreatic inflammation
Impaired apical exocytosis and redirected exocytosis to less efficient basolateral plasma membrane sites
Augments elevated-[Ca2+]-induced trypsin activation in pancreatic acinar zymogen granules, leading to premature activation of trypsin and tissue damage