[Effect of ethanol on blood serotonin level]

The level of blood serotonin was determined in 11 healthy young men after administration of 1.0 g ethanol per 1 kg of body weight and in healthy dogs after administration of 2.0 g of ethanol per 1 kg of body weight. In men there was no substantial change in the blood level of serotonin. After administration of 2.0 g of ethanol per 1 kg of body weight in dogs, the blood level of serotonin was not found changed in the 60th minute of the experiment. After 4 hours after administration of ethanol already a significant decrease of the serotonin level appeared. After 24 hours following administration of ethanol there was a slight increase of the serotonin level as compared with the initial level. Slight changes of the serotonin level observed in the 30th and 60th minute of the experiment cannot explain the negative inotropic effect of ethanol.