Influence of dissolved oxygen concentration on the pharmacokinetics of alcohol in humans

Ethanol oxidation by the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system requires oxygen for alcohol metabolism, and a higher oxygen uptake increases the rate of ethanol oxidation. We investigated the effect of dissolved oxygen on the pharmacokinetics of alcohol in healthy humans (n = 49). The concentrations of dissolved oxygen were 8, 20, and 25 ppm in alcoholic drinks of 240 and 360 ml (19.5% v/v).

Blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) were determined by converting breath alcohol concentrations. Breath samples were collected every 30 min when the BAC was higher than 0.015%, 20 min at BAC < or =0.015%, 10 min at BAC < or =0.010%, and 5 min at BAC < or =0.006%.

The high dissolved oxygen groups (20, 25 ppm) descended to 0.000% and 0.050% BAC faster than the normal dissolved oxygen groups (8 ppm; p < 0.05). In analyzing pharmacokinetic parameters, AUC(inf) and K(el) of the high oxygen groups were lower than in the normal oxygen group, while C(max) and T(max) were not significantly affected. In a Monte Carlo simulation, the lognormal distribution of mean values of AUC(inf) and t(1/2) was expected to be reduced in the high oxygen group compared to the normal oxygen group.

In conclusion, elevated dissolved oxygen concentrations in alcoholic drinks accelerate the metabolism and elimination of alcohol. Thus, enhanced dissolved oxygen concentrations in alcohol may have a role to play in reducing alcohol-related side effects and accidents.