title: Increased plasma levels of glutathione and malondialdehyde after acute ethanol ingestion in humans.
abstract: The effect of acute ethanol consumption on plasma glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations was studied in two groups of healthy male subjects. The first group (n = 15) received an acute dose of ethanol (1.5 g/kg p.o. over a period of 3 h); in the control group (n = 15), ethanol was replaced isocalorically with carbohydrates. Blood samples were taken at 0 time (ethanol/carbohydrates ingestion) and every 60 min for 6 h. A significant increase in plasma MDA concentration as well as in plasma GSH values were observed in subjects receiving ethanol compared to controls. The enhancement of plasma GSH was accompanied by a concomitant increase of oxidized glutathione (GSSG). These data support the hypothesis of an increase of lipid peroxidation as a possible mechanism of acute ethanol toxicity. The enhancement of plasma GSH and GSSG may reflect an increased utilization and loss of the tripeptide from the liver induced by ethanol.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Clinica Medica I, University of Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vendemiale
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Altomare
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Grattagliano
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Albano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D008314:Malonates / Q000097:blood*; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008314:Malonates; D014280:Triglycerides; D000431:Ethanol; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D005978:Glutathione; D001663:Bilirubin