Effects of ethanol on the levels of unconjugated and conjugated androgens and estrogens in plasma of men.
The concentrations in plasma of estradiol, estrone, testosterone and 4-androstene-3,17-dione and their monosulphates and glucuronides were determined after oral administration of 0.3 g ethanol per kg body weight to four men. The levels of the unconjugated steroids did not change in a consistent way. In contrast, the concentrations of estradiol monosulphate and estradiol glucuronide increased markedly. The increase paralleled the blood alcohol concentrations and control levels were reached 3 h after the ethanol intake. A coupling of ethanol oxidation with reduction of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate has previously been established, and it is suggested that the ethanol-induced change of the hepatic redox level affects the interconversion of conjugated forms of estradiol and estrone resulting in elevated levels of conjugated estradiol. This could have a feminizing effect and affect the feed-back regulation of gonadal hormone production.
D000328:Adult; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000097:blood; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood*; D004970:Estrone / Q000097:blood; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005965:Glucuronates / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013431:Sulfates / Q000097:blood; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D005965:Glucuronates; D013431:Sulfates; D004970:Estrone; D000431:Ethanol; D013739:Testosterone; D000735:Androstenedione; D004958:Estradiol