Effect of adrenergic beta receptor blockade on ethanol elimination and on ethanol-induced changes in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in man.

The effect of adrenergic beta receptor blockade on the elimination rate of ethanol was studied in seven healthy young men. The studies were performed before and after 14 days of propranolol 240 mg/day: the ethanol was given per-orally--0.8 mg/kg b.w. The blood concentration of ethanol, glucose, lactate and glycerol, and the plasma concentration of free fatty acids and triglycerides were followed in samples from the superior vena cava taken every 20 min for four hours. The splanchnic hepatic blood flow was estimated with a single i.v. injection of indocyanine green. The absorption rate, absorption fraction and elimination rate of ethanol were not changed by propranolol. The splanchnic hepatic blood flow was significantly reduced (mean 19 per cent) during beta receptor blockade. The ethanol-induced change in the concentration of glucose, lactate and free fatty acids was affected by propranolol, the time-concentration curves for glucose and lactate being significantly elevated and that for free fatty acids being significantly reduced. The time-concentration curves for glycerol and triglycerides did not differ in the two studies.