Human leukocyte beta-adrenergic stimulated cyclic AMP in ethanol intoxication and withdrawal

The effects of ethanol were examined on cyclic AMP production in intact human leukocytes in vitro. In leukocytes isolated from alcohol abstinent subjects, ethanol enhances isoproterenol-stimulated and prostaglandin E1-stimulated cyclic AMP formation. Without agonist, ethanol is able to stimulate cyclic AMP production at concentrations of 160 mM and above. Leukocytes isolated from subjects undergoing alcohol detoxification showed increases in basal levels of leukocyte cyclic AMP, in isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP, and in ethanol-stimulated cyclic AMP on the 2nd or 3rd day of withdrawal in comparison to the first day of withdrawal and in comparison to abstinent subjects. The data suggest that increased beta-adrenergic activity seen in alcohol withdrawal may be in part due to an increased responsiveness of beta-adrenergic stimulated cyclic AMP in tissues.