Enhanced rate of ethanol elimination from blood after intravenous administration of amino acids compared with equicaloric glucose

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the effect of an amino acid mixture given intravenously (i.v.) on the rate of ethanol elimination from blood compared with equicaloric glucose and Ringer's acetate as control treatments. Methods: In a randomized cross-over study, six healthy men (mean age 23 years) fasted overnight before receiving either Ringer's acetate, glucose or the amino acid mixture (Vamin 18 g N/l®) by constant rate i.v. infusion over 4.5 h. Ethanol (0.4 g/kg) was given by an i.v. infusion lasting 60 min during the time each of the treatments was administered. At various times post-infusion, blood samples were taken for determination of ethanol by headspace gas chromatography. Blood glucose and heart rate were monitored at regular intervals. Concentration-time profiles of ethanol were plotted for each subject and the rate of ethanol disappearance from blood as well as other pharmacokinetic parameters were compared by repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The rate of ethanol elimination from blood was increased significantly (P < 0.001) after treatment with amino acids (mean ± SD, 0.174 ± 0.011 g/l/h) compared with equicaloric glucose (0.121 ± 0.016 g/l/h) or Ringer's acetate (0.110 ± 0.013 g/l/h). Heart rate was also slightly higher during infusion of the amino acid mixture (P < 0.05). Conclusions: When the rate of ethanol elimination from blood is relatively slow, such as after an overnight fast, it can be increased by ∼60% after treatment with i.v. amino acids. The efficacy of amino acid treatment was not related to the supply of calories because glucose was no more effective than Ringer's acetate. We suggest that amino acids might increase hepatic oxygen consumption, resulting in a more effective conversion of NADH to NAD+ in mitochondria. An important feature of the experimental design was ensuring hepatic availability of amino acids during much of the time that ethanol was being metabolized. © The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Medical Council on Alcohol. All rights reserved.