Ethanol metabolism and liver oxidative capacity in cold acclimation.

Exposure of rats to an ambient temperature of 5 degrees C for 4 to 6 weeks led to a 30 to 80 percent increase in the rate of oxygen consumption and a 50 percent increase in the rate of ethanol oxidation by liver slices, a 50 percent increase in mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase activity of liver, and a 100 percent increase in Na++K+-activated adenosine-triphosphatase, activity. Ouabain, an inhibitor of the Na++K+-activated adenosine-triphosphatase, completely blocked the extra respiration and ethanol oxidation. Dinitrophenol, which increases oxygen consumption and ethanol oxidation by liver slices from normal rats, was ineffective with slices from cold-exposed animals. Ethanol disappearance rate in vivo was also increased by cold acclimation, even though liver alcohol dehydrogenase activity was reduced. It is suggested that increased hydrolysis of ATP by the sodium pump system is responsible for the increased oxygen consumption and ethanol metabolism in the livers of cold-acclimated animals.