THE EFFECTS OF CONTINUOUS INFUSION OF ETHANOL INTO THE PORTAL SYSTEM OF THE RAT

Abstract

A technique for the continuous infusion of 10% v/v ethanol in physiological saline into the portal vein of rats for periods up to 4 weeks is described.Measured amounts of pure alcohol were thus delivered directly to the liver cells by the portal blood continuously for weeks, providing up to 10% of total calories but avoiding inebriation. In the livers of well-nourished rats no histological abnormality attributable to prolonged exposure to alcohol was noted.