Effect of acute ethanol administration on the thoracic duct lymph flow in man.

In 17 patients the thoracic duct was cannulated and the lymph continuously collected. Thoracic duct lymph flow and the concentration of total protein in the lymph and blood serum were repeatedly measured for 6 hours. Group I (9 subjects) received 0.7 g/kg of oral ethanol in the form of 40% solution, group II (8 subjects) an intravenous infusion of 0.75 g/kg of ethanol. Oral but not intravenous administration of ethanol significantly increased the thoracic duct lymph flow. Lymph total protein significantly decreased in group I only.