Effects of chronic ethanol treatment on glucose uptake into tissues of normal and diabetic mice

Blood glucose levels and glucose uptake into cerebral cortex and diaphragm in vitro and into cerebral cortex and adipose tissue in vivo have been measured in LACG (normal) and C57Bl and CBA (diabetic) mice during chronic ethanol drinking and withdrawal. Chronic ethanol produced hypoglycaemia in diabetic mice but prevented insulin-provoked hypoglycaemia in normal mice. Insulin and ethanol had additive effects in diabetic mice. The hypoglycaemic effect of CET is not dependent upon insulin and can be explained by an increase in insulin-independent brain glucose uptake. Ethanol-induced hypoglycaemia and the changes in glucose uptake occur at relatively low blood levels of ethanol (4-20mM, 18-90mg%) and are rapidly reversible on withdrawal. Diabetic mice appear to be more sensitive to the effects of ethanol on glucoregulation.