The Effect of Acute Alcohol Intoxication on the Adrenal Glands of Rats and Guinea Pigs

Abstract

Stomach-tube admn. of a single intoxicating dose of 50% by volume ethyl alcohol to rats or guinea pigs caused a reduction in the levels of adrenal ascorbic acid and adrenal cholesterol. The concn. of these substances decreased as the dosage of alcohol was raised from 4.5 to 7-9 g./kg. of body wt. Adrenal ascorbic acid was least 3 hrs. after alcohol admn. while cholesterol was lowest after 5-7 hrs. Untreated animals and those given water by stomach tube served as controls. Hypophysectomized rats did not show this stress effect upon the adrenals after receiving either alcohol or water.