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Age and bioavailability of alcohol
C M Oneta1, M Pedrosa, S Rüttimann
1Div. of Gastroenterology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland.
Zeitschrift Fur Gastroenterologie
|September 15, 2001
Summary
First pass metabolism of ethanol is unexpectedly increased in elderly individuals with normal gastric health. This suggests age itself doesn't increase serum ethanol concentrations, but rather other factors like gastric emptying speed may be involved.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Gerontology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Advanced age is associated with decreased first pass metabolism (FPM) of ethanol, leading to elevated serum ethanol concentrations (SECs).
- It remains unclear whether decreased FPM is solely due to aging or influenced by conditions like atrophic gastritis, which affects alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent effects of age on SECs and ethanol bioavailability.
- To differentiate the impact of aging from other potential contributing factors on ethanol metabolism.
Main Methods:
- 15 elderly (mean age 71 years) and 16 younger (mean age 37 years) volunteers with normal gastric histology participated.
- Ethanol (0.225 g/kg body weight) was administered intravenously (IV) and orally to all participants.
- Serum ethanol concentrations (SECs) and time curves were analyzed after both administration routes.
Main Results:
- FPM of ethanol was significantly increased in elderly subjects (54% +/- 6%) compared to younger controls (12% +/- 9%).
- Elderly individuals exhibited significantly higher SECs after IV ethanol administration and lower SECs after oral administration.
- Peak SECs were elevated with age after IV ethanol, and the time to reach peak SECs was delayed after oral intake, with no observed gender effect.
Conclusions:
- FPM of ethanol is unexpectedly elevated in the elderly with normal gastric morphology, contrary to previous findings.
- Increased SECs post-IV ethanol in the elderly may relate to reduced body water distribution space.
- Accelerated gastric emptying in the elderly with normal gastric morphology likely increases ethanol contact time with gastric ADH, enhancing FPM.
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