Endoscopic Pinch sigmoid mucosal biopsies were obtained from 4 healthy and 4 alcoholic male subjects. These samples were randomly selected from our IRB approved tissue repository. Alcoholic subjects were recruited as part of our ongoing project studying the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on intestinal function. All alcoholic subjects fulfilled NIAAA criteria for at-risk drinking and alcohol abuse or dependence (O’Connor and Schottenfeld, 1998) and DSM-IV criteria for alcoholism (Ball et al., 1997). This included a recent drinking history (regular and heavy EtOH consumption for a minimum of 3 months prior to enrollment). These 4 alcoholics were actively drinking for the last 10 years and their last drink was 7–10 days prior to the endoscopic procedure. However, blood alcohol level was undetectable at the time of the procedure.). A history of alcohol consumption was assessed by a validated NIAAA-endorsed assessment instrument – The Lifetime Drinking History. (Skinner and Sheu, 1982). Control subjects were otherwise healthy individuals with no known liver disease, who did not fulfill any of the exclusion criteria, and who were willing to participate in the study. None of the controls had ever been a daily or heavy drinker.
