Different effects on zinc redistribution if ethanol is consumed before or immediately after birth.

Aims: The effect of ethanol consumption, either during pregnancy and/or lactation, on the altered metabolism of zinc (Zn) is not well-defined. Therefore, this study was performed to analyse the effect of chronic ethanol exposure on Zn redistribution in dams and offspring during either gestation and/or lactation.

Methods: We have used three groups of Wistar rat dams: control (CD), ethanol (ED), and pair-fed dams (PD).

Alcohol, gestation and breastfeeding: selenium as an antioxidant therapy.

Aim: The aim of this paper is to study the relationship between alcohol, selenium and oxidative stress in breastfeeding rat pups exposed to ethanol during gestation and lactation. We have also studied how a Se-supplemented diet among mothers could prevent different oxidative liver disorders in the pups.

Method: Pups of 21 days were randomized into four groups: control group (C), alcohol group (A), alcohol selenium group (AS) and control selenium group (CS).

Lipid metabolism in ethanol-treated rat pups and adults: effects of folic Acid.

Aims: In this study we determined whether a folic acid-supplemented diet could change hyperlipaemia provoked by chronic ethanol intake in adult and pup rats.

Methods: Animals were randomized into eight groups (four adults and four pups): control groups, water and basic diet; alcohol groups, 20% ethanol and basic diet; alcohol folic acid groups, 20% ethanol and diet supplemented with folic acid; control folic acid groups, water and folic acid-supplemented diet. We determined serum and liver total cholesterol (Chol), HDL, triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL) and bile acids (BA) levels in all of the groups.

Effects of ethanol and folic acid consumption during pregnancy and lactation on basal enzymatic secretion in the duodenal juice of offspring rats.

Objectives: Studies on duodenal juice enzyme activities were carried out on suckling Wistar rats born to dams given ethanol during gestation and suckling. The results were compared with offspring of dams given diets containing no ethanol. Comparisons were also made with offspring of dams given ethanol and folic acid supplementation to observe whether a folate supplement could sufficiently reverse the negative effect of ethanol consumption.