Ethanol affects the absorption and tissue distribution of orally administered antigens in mice

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of ethanol on the adsorption and tissue distribution of orally administered antigens in mice. Results showed that ethanol reduced the level of anti-ovalbumin IgA antibodies in intestinal fluid for the mice treated orally with a palmitoyl-ovalbumin conjugate. Ethanol was administered intragastrically to mice at 5 g/kg body weight for 14 days (chronic treatment), or 10 g/kg body weight every 7th day up to 14 days (acute treatment). Thereafter, 99m technetium-labeled antigens were administered and lymphoid tissues were collected. Ethanol interfered with the transport of ovalbumin to the liver. Moreover, the transport of palmitoyl-ovalbumin to mesenteric lymph nodes was reduced 6 h after the antigen administration. In conclusion, there was a relationship between the suppression of ethanol-mediated specific local IgA responses and the decreased transport of palmitoyl-ovalbumin to mesenteric lymph nodes.