Effects of hypophysectomy, adrenalectomy and (-)-propranolol on ethanol-induced decrease in plasma amino acids.

In previous studies we have demonstrated that an acute dose of ethanol cause an immediate decrease in most plasma amino acids in both man and rat. This effect of ethanol is partly inhibited by the beta-adrenergic antagonist (-)-propranolol, partly by adrenalectomy or hypophysectomy and almost completely by a combination of adrenalectomy with (-)-propranolol. This finding suggests an involvement of both beta-adrenergic mechanisms and steroids from the adrenal cortex in the ethanol-induced decrease in plasma amino acids.