Inhibitory Influence of Ethanol on Serotonin Metabolism

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Abstract
The influence of a sublethal, hypnotic dose of ethanol on the metabolism of serotonin was investigated in the mouse. Thirty minutes after the intraperito-neal injection of 4.5 g/kg of ethanol, the mice were administered 160 mgAg of serotonin intraperitoneally. At various intervals after the serotonin dose, the whole animal and its excreta were homogenized and analyzed for serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleactic acid and total 5-hydroxyindole compounds. The results clearly demonstrated that alcohol exerted an appreciable inhibitory effect on the metabolism of serotonin and depressed its biotransformation via oxidation and conjugation. The enzymatic, toxicologic, and neuropharmacologic implications are discussed.