A revised pharmacokinetic model for alcohol.
OBJECTIVE
To correct a defect in widely utilised pharmacokinetic models of alcohol absorption into the blood.


METHODS
The implications of the defect are briefly described. A highly simplified model that corrects this defect is then proposed, and the resulting differential equation describing blood-alcohol concentration from ingestion to elimination is derived. The equation is solved in closed form.


RESULTS
The improved model assumes that diffusion of alcohol across the interface between the stomach/intestine complex and the remaining body fluids (including blood plasma) is linearly proportional to the difference in alcohol concentration across the interface. The resulting equation is tested against experimental data with excellent agreement.


CONCLUSIONS
This model enables inferences to be drawn that are not possible with the more conventional model.
Lotsof
Jack
J
Consultant, Buffalo, New York, USA. lotsof@calspan.com
D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects; D008433:Mathematics; D008954:Models, Biological; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects
D000431:Ethanol