Alcohol induced depression of reticuloendothelial function in the rat.

Abstract

Abstract The oral administration of ethanol significantly depressed the clearance of microaggregated albumin in rats. When 0.5 ml. of 100 per cent ethyl alcohol was given, the half-clearance time in the alcohol treated rats averaged 40 per cent longer than paired glucose treated controls. A similar depression of reticuloendothelial function was noted with higher ethanol doses, but no relation was demonstrated between the degree of depression and the blood alcohol level. Measurement of total radioiodine activity in the blood proved to be as useful as measuring the protein bound fraction, as little label was released during the 15 minute observation period. The reason for ethanol induced delay in phagocytosis was not clear. Changes in hematocrit or blood volume in the experimental and control animals were not found. The possible significance of these findings as an explanation for the increased susceptibility of alcoholics to infection is discussed.