Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Monday, March 1, 2010

Influence of Dissolved Oxygen Concentration on the Pharmacokinetics of Alcohol in Humans


Ethanol oxidation by the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system requires oxygen for alcohol metabolism, and a higher oxygen uptake increases the rate of ethanol oxidation.

We investigated the effect of dissolved oxygen on the pharmacokinetics of alcohol in healthy humans (n = 49). The concentrations of dissolved oxygen were 8, 20, and 25 ppm in alcoholic drinks of 240 and 360 ml (19.5%v/v).

The high dissolved oxygen groups (20, 25 ppm) descended to 0.000% and 0.050% BAC faster than the normal dissolved oxygen groups (8 ppm; p <>inf and Kel of the high oxygen groups were lower than in the normal oxygen group, while Cmax and Tmax were not significantly affected. In a Monte Carlo simulation, the lognormal distribution of mean values of AUCinf and t1/2 was expected to be reduced in the high oxygen group compared to the normal oxygen group.

In conclusion, elevated dissolved oxygen concentrations in alcoholic drinks accelerate the metabolism and elimination of alcohol.

Thus, enhanced dissolved oxygen concentrations in alcohol may have a role to play in reducing alcohol-related side effects and accidents.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: kwon@cnu.ac.kr

___________________________________________

at