The effects of fructose and other substances on acetaldehyde and ethanol metabolism in the rat.

The purpose of this study was to test the comparative effectiveness of fructose, glucose, sucrose and alanine in increasing the rates of ethanol and acetaldehyde clearance. Intravenously administered fructose was found to be most effective, followed by alanine in increasing the rate of blood alcohol clearance. Administration of any one of the test substances during ethanol metabolism did not result in a significant change in the levels of blood acetaldehyde. Fructose partially prevented the ethanol-mediated changes in the concentration ratios of lactate/pyruvate and beta-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate. Its administration also resulted in the reversal of acetaldehyde-mediated changes in the liver. Test substances resulted in an increase in hepatic glucose levels, however, a combination of these substances with ethanol resulted in decreased hepatic glucose levels. The most pronounced effect on glucose was observed when ethanol was given in combination with glucose. During the simultaneous metabolism of fructose and ethanol, hepatic and blood levels of sorbitol increased significantly. Fructose also exerted the most pronounced antiketogenic action.