In vivo effects of vitamin C on the cytotoxicity of post-ethanol serum.

The consumption of alcohol is followed by the development in the serum of a non-dialysable cytotoxic activity against A9 cells. This cytotoxicity has been previously shown to reside mainly in unstable acetaldehyde-albumin complexes from which cytotoxic acetaldehyde molecules can be transferred to target cells. The cytotoxicity developing in serum albumin 8 hr after seven healthy volunteers drank 84 g ethanol over 45 min was abolished when the same volunteers were pre-treated with 1 g vitamin C daily for 3 days prior to alcohol consumption. The cytotoxicity was measured against A9 cells using two different indicators: (i) detachment of adherent cells and (ii) a decrease in the ability of cells to reduce tetrazolium. These data suggest that the administration of vitamin C may be useful in limiting those aspects of alcohol toxicity mediated by circulating acetaldehyde.