Twenty-four-hour fluid intake and renal handling of electrolytes after various doses of ethanol.

The effects of single ethanol doses on fluid and electrolyte metabolism were studied in 31 male mongrel dogs. The animals were given either 0.75 g/kg 1.50 g/kg, or 2.25 g/kg of a 25% (v/v) ethanol solution or isovolumetric quantities of water. Fluid intake, urine output, and electrolyte (Na, K, Cl, Mg) excretions were measured at 0--3, 3--8, and 8--24 hr. During the ascending portion of the plasma ethanol curve (0--3 hr) there was a diuresis and renal magnesium loss in the two highest dosage ethanol groups. During the initial portion of the descending plasma ethanol curve (3--8 hr), each ethanol group had a significant elevation in voluntary intake. At 8--24 hr, renal retention of sodium, potassium, and chloride was found in the 1.5 and 2.25 g/kg groups, and magnesium excretion was also reduced in the 2.25 g/kg group. Over the 0--24 hr, none of the ethanol groups showed fluid loss, while the 2.25 g/kg ethanol group had significant retention of water. The administration of the 2.25 g/kg ethanol dose also resulted in 24-hr retention of sodium and potassium.

Effects of furosemide on renal function after a single dose of ethanol.

The administration of furosemide 18 hours after a single ethanol administration demonstrated that loop of Henle sodium reabsorption was increased by ethanol.

Effects of acetazolamide on renal function eighteen hours after a single does of ethanol.

The administration of acetazolamide 18 hours after a single dose of ethanol demonstrated that ethanol stimulates proximal tubular sodium reabsorption.

Renal hemodynamics and electrolyte excretions after reserpine and ethanol.

The participation of the peripheral nervous system in the renal response to an acute ethanol administration was investigated in dogs. The animals received water or ethanol (3 g/kg), with and without 2 days pretreatment with reserpine. Each group was examined 18 hours after the water or ethanol administration. In comparison to water controls, both reserpine and ethanol produced similar increases with respect to renal hemodynamics. The combined treatment produced a further significant increase in effective renal plasma flow. Reserpine alone produced increases in the rates of filtration and reabsorption of sodium and chloride; ethanol and reserpine-ethanol treatments produced further increases but did not alter the excretory rates. Although all three treatments produced increases in the rate of filtration of potassium, only ethanol and reserpine-ethanol treatments increased the excretory rate. Magnesium excretion was decreased by reserpine and reserpine-ethanol in comparison to water and ethanol, respectively; but calcium excretion was elevated in all the treatment groups. Zinc excretion was increased in the ethanol group. The results suggest that the secondary action of ethanol to produce release and possible depletion of peripheral catecholamine stores is not primarily involved with its renal effects, except in the case of magnesium and zinc metabolism.