Utilization of acetate in the human forearm during exercise after ethanol ingestion

The uptake of acetate in the human forearm was studied in five fasting (14 h) subjects during 10-min periods of ergometer work at 7 and 10 kilopond-meters per minute (kpm/min). A constant arterial acetate concentration was established by administration of a small quantity of alcohol (25 g) to the subjects after a control work period. Blood flow was measured by an indicator dilution technique. Acetate uptake varied linearly with the product of arterial acetate concentration and blood flow. Acetate metabolism was calculated to account for about 6.5% of the energy metabolism, assuming complete combustion to carbon dioxide and water. Oxygen uptake and blood flow did not change in the presence of acetate and ethanol. After administration of ethanol the arterial concentrations of FFA and glycerol decreased to about half, whereas the lactate concentration increased to about twice the control values, confirming other reports. Glucose utilization was increased and lactate output decreased during the ethanol periods, presumably a consequence of the changing arterial concentrations and increased insulin level. Measurements of the arterial and venous lactate/pyruvate concentration ratios indicate that the NAD-mediated cytoplasmic redox state in the muscle is not changed in the presence of acetate and ethanol.