Ethanol elimination by rats as a function of reproductive state, gender and nutritional status

Alcohol elimination was studied in rats of different ages, reproductive states and nutritional deprivation, with the following results: 1) blood levels of ethanol 180 min after a single dose of 1.5 g/kg, ip were significantly higher in adult male (74 days old, N=5) than in young male rats (34 days old, N = 5): 92.4 ñ 8.4 vs 6.8 + 3.4 mg/lOO ml, means ñ SD, respectively; 2) when male rats were given a low protein diet for 48 h, blood ethanol levels after a single dose were significantly increased in young males (38.6 ñ 14.6 mg/l00 ml) but no effect after a single dose was found in the same animals at an older age (93.2 ñ 5.0 mg/l00 ml); 3) blood levels in female rats were higher than in young males both in the virgin and pregnant states, but during lactation a significant drop in blood levels of ethanol was observed. Blood levels of ethanol (mg/l00 ml) 180 min after a single dose of 1.5 g/kg, ip, in females, were: virgin (N=6): 44.9 ñ 16. 1, pregnant (N = 5): 40.0 ñ 10.4, lactant (N = 5): 8.8 5.8. This difference between virgin and pregnant and lactant rats was not related to changes in ADH activity which did not differ between groups. The present study indicates that in male rats the effect of a short-term protein deprivation on ethanol elimination is dependent on the age of the animal. In females, reproductive state is an important factor in determining ethanol elimination.

Ethanol pharmacokinetics in lactating women

Experimental studies in rats have demonstrated that lactating females have blood ethanol levels five times lower than those observed in non-lactating rats. The purpose of the present study was to verify if this phenomenon also occurs in human beings. Five lactating (L) and five control (C) women received, after formal agreement to the experimental procedure, 0.4 g/kg of ethanol as vodka (Stolichnaya, USSR), between 9:00 and 10:15 a.m. Blood and milk samples were collected 10, 20, 40, 60, 90, 150 and 180 min after ethanol ingestion. Ethanol levels in blood and milk were measured by gas chromatography using the head space technique. Results indicated that: time to reach maximal blood levels was significantly longer in the L group (L: 48.0 +/- 10.9, C: 31.2 +/- 16.4 min, means +/- SD), area under the curve was smaller when group L was compared to group C (L: 3821.5 +/- 1240.5, C: 5154.8 +/- 1313.7 mg per cent x min, means +/- SD), ethanol blood levels (mg/dl) at 150 and 180 min were significantly lower in the L group (150: L, 10.5 +/- 5.6; C, 18.7 +/- 6.8; 180: L, 3.9 +/- 2.8; C, 13.2 +/- 6.4, means +/- SD). Concentration of ethanol in milk was similar to concentration in blood. These results indicate the importance of lactation for ethanol pharmacokinetics and raise questions about the pharmacokinetics of other drugs ingested by lactating women

Enzyme activity in the liver and serum of malnourished children in Jamaica

(1) Activities of glutamic pyruvic transaminase, isocitric dehydrogenase and malic dehydrogenase were measured in the liver and serum of children suffering from malnutrition. (2) Death was closely associated with raised serum enzyme activity and bilirubin levels, and low enzyme activity in the liver. (3) The return of liver enzyme activity to normal in the course of recovery was followed. (4) The effect on liver enzymes of a reduced protein intake was observed. A marked fall in liver glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity without any alteration in isocitric dehydrogenase was found. (AU)

A biochemical lesion in fatty liver

Enzymes leak from damaged liver tissue into the blood. An attempt has been made to measure this leakage in needle biopsy pieces of liver. However the results of such procedures are very difficult to interpret because of the absence of 'normal' values and because the biopsy needle probably inflicts differing amounts of trauma each time it is used (AU)

Serum-enzymes during recovery from malnutrition

Serum glutamic-pyruvic-transaminase (G.P.T.) and isocitric-dehydrogenase (I.C.D.) activities have been measured in a number of children recovering from severe malnutrition. Greatly increased serum glutamic-pyruvic-transaminase and isocitric-dehydrogenase levels are found in children recovering from severe malnutrition. These are thought to be part of a physiological response to a good diet, and not an indication of cell injury. Serum-bilirubin is not increased in these children. It is suggested that increased serum-enzyme levels are produced when enzyme synthesis proceeds more rapidly than synthesis of structural components of cells (SUMMARY)

Hepatic failure in malnutrition

Serum glutamic-pyruvic-transaminase, isocitric-dehydrogenase, and bilrubin were measured in malnourished children. Greatly increased levels were found in chlidren who died later. Clinical observations suggest that with modern treatment childern with severe malnutrition survive unless they have hepatic failure. There was no difference in enzyme distribution between the groups of children with marasmus and those with kwashiorkor. It is suggested that leakage of enzymes from liver cells may lead to failure of liver function. Measurements of the enzyme content of some liver-biopsy specimens support this argument (AU)

Transaminase levels in infant malnutrition

Estimation of glutamic pyruvic transaminase, isocitric dehydrogenase and bilirubin were measured in malnourished children. All children that died showed elevation of all three parameters on admission. The 80 percent of the series that showed no such elevated values all survived (AU)