Metabolic Effects of Alcohol on the Liver

Fatty Liver Associated with Alcohol AdministrationIt has been observed in laboratory animals9, 49 50 51 that an acute fatty liver can follow the administration of alcohol, usually after moderate or excessive doses. It is quite likely that a similar phenomenon occurs in man.52 A number of investigators have recently made considerable efforts to elucidate the mechanisms whereby this lipid accumulation may occur. Five possible mechanisms or factors, depicted in Figure 5, alone or in combination might be involved: increased mobilization of fatty acids from peripheral adipose-tissue depots; increased hepatic fatty acid synthesis; decreased utilization or oxidation of fatty acids by the liver; increased . . .