Abstract
A sensitive method for determination of human blood acetaldehyde (AcH), which avoids artefactual ethanol-derived Ach formation, was developed. AcH was trapped by collecting blood directly into isotonic semicarbazide, the plasma separated, AcH liberated by perchloric acid and analyzed by gas chromatography. Breath AcH was also trapped in semicarbazide and analyzed similarly. Using an experimentally determined blood:breath partition ratio of 190, calculated pulmonary blood and measured antecubital blood AcH were very similar at various concentrations. Blood AcH was found generally to be very low (< 10 μM) at moderate ethanol levels. Calcium carbimide (0.25 mg/kg) caused moderate flushing reactions and elevated AcH to 25–188 μM. 4-Methylpyrazole (5 mg/kg i.v.) rapidly attenuated AcH levels and symptoms, indicating its potential use in the treatment of disulfiram-ethanol reactions. AcH in the cerebrospinal fluid of 5 highly intoxicated patients was almost absent (0–5 μM). Blood AcH in occasional or chronic alcohol abusers were generally low (< 10 μM), elevated AcH levels being observed only in association with clinical abnormalities. The results indicate that in general, previously reported human blood AcH levels are erroneously high and that breath levels reflect blood levels. Blood AcH may play a lesser role in the actions of ethanol in humans than is often assumed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Blomstrand, R., and H. Theorell, 1971, Inhibitory effect on ethanol oxidation in man after administration of 4-methylpyrazole,Life Sci., 9: 631.
Deitrich, R.A., P.A. Troxell, W.S. Worth, and V.G. Erwin, 1976, Inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase in brain and liver by cyanamide, ,Biochem. Pharmacol., 25: 2733.
Eriksson, C.J.P., and H.W. Sippel, 1977, The distribution and metabolism of acetaldehyde in rats during ethanol oxidation, ,Biochem. Pharmacol., 26: 241.
Eriksson, C.J.P., H.W. Sippel, and O.A. Forsander, 1977, The determination of acetaldehyde in biological samples by head-space gas chromatography, ,Anal. Biochem., 80: 116.
Freund, G., and P. O’Hollaren, 1965, Concentrations of acetaldehyde in alveolar air following a standard dose of ethanol in man, ,J. Lipid Res., 6: 471.
Fukui, U., 1969, Gas chromatographic determination of acetaldehyde in the expired air after ingestion of alcohol, ,Jap. J. Leg. Med., 23: 24.
Harger, R.N., B.B. Raney, E.G. Bridwell, and M.K. Kitchel, 1950, The partition ratio of alcohol between air and water, urine and blood; estimations and identification of alcohol in these liquids from analysis of air equilibrated with them, ,J. Biol. Chem., 183: 197.
Jones, A.W., 1978, Variability of the blood:breath alcohol ratio in vivo, ,J. Stud. Alc., 39: 1931.
Kitson, T.M., 1977, The disulfiram-ethanol reaction, ,J. Stud. Alc., 38: 96.
Korsten, M.A., S. Matsuzaki, L. Feinman, and C.S. Lieber, 1975, High blood acetaldehyde levels after ethanol administration. Difference between alcoholic and nonalcoholic subjects,,New Engl. J. Med., 292: 386.
Lindros, K.O., 1978, Acetaldehydeits metabolism and role in the actions of alcohol, in: “Research Advances in Alcohol and Drug Problems,” Y. Israel, B. Glaser, H. Kalant, R.E. Popham, W. Schmidt, and R.G. Smart, eds., Plenum Press, New York.
Salaspuro, M.P., P. Pikkarainen, and K.O. Lindros, 1977, Ethanolinduced hypoglycemia in man: Its suppression by the alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor 4-methylpyrazole, ,Eur. J. Clin. Invest., 7: 487.
Schuckit, M.A., and V. Payses, 1979, Ethanol ingestions, Differences in blood acetaldehyde concentrations in relatives of alcoholics and controls, ,Science, 203: 54.
Stowell, A.R., R.M. Greenway, and R.D. Batt, 1977, Acetaldehyde formation during deproteinization of human blood samples containing ethanol, ,Biochem. Med., 18: 392.
Stowell, A.R., K.E. Crow, K.G. Couchman, and R.D. Batt, Acetaldehyde levels in peripheral venous blood and breath of human volunteers, in: “Alcohol Intoxication and Withdrawal: Experimental Studies IV,” H. Begleiter and B. Kissin, Plenum Press, New York, in press.
Tottmar, O., and H. Marchner, 1975, Characteristics of the acetaldehyde oxidation in rat liver, and the effects of antabuse, 4-methylpyrazole and unknown dietary factors on the hepatic output of acetaldehyde, in: “The Role of Acetaldehyde in the Actions of Ethanol,” K.O. Lindros, and C.J.P. Eriksson, eds., ,Finn. Found. Alc. Stud., 23: 47.
Truitt, E.B., 1971, Blood acetaldehyde levels after alcohol consumption by alcoholic and nonalcoholic subjects, in: “Biological Aspects of Alcohol, Advances in Mental Science,” M.K. Roach, W.M. Mclsaac, and P.J. Creaven eds., University of Texas Press, Austin and London.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1980 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Stowell, A., Hillbom, M., Salaspuro, M., Lindros, K.O. (1980). Low Acetaldehyde Levels in Blood, Breath and Cerebrospinal Fluid of Intoxicated Humans as Assayed by Improved Methods. In: Thurman, R.G. (eds) Alcohol and Aldehyde Metabolizing Systems-IV. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1419-7_66
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1419-7_66
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-1421-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-1419-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive