Chronic ethanol ingestion, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rats

▶ The glucose tolerance would be affected by chronic ethanol ingestion in both the diabetic and non-diabetic rat models. ▶ The diabetic rats affected by chronic heavy ethanol ingestion had a low-to-normal fasting glucose level and an extremely high postprandial glucose level. ▶ BDNF concentrations were significantly decreased in the ethanol-fed diabetic group compared to control-fed non-diabetic group. ▶ Chronic heavy alcohol ingestion aggravated T2DM and may possibly lower BDNF level.