Lung function changes by ethanol inhalation

Abstract

The acute effect of ethanol inhalation on ventilatory capacity was studied in 6 healthy volunteers and the results were compared to those obtained after the inhalation of a saline solution. There was a significant decrease in flow rates on partial expiratory flow-volume curves up to 90 min after ethanol inhalation. FEV1 [forced expiratory volume in 1 s] values did not change significantly after either ethanol or saline aerosol. Pretreatment with atropine did not prevent the acute reductions in flow rates in comparison with the reductions without atropine. Pretreatment with disodium cromoglycate considerably diminished the acute reductions of flow rates caused by ethanol inhalation. Ethanol in some persons may act, at least partly, through releasing mediators with bronchoconstrictive action.