Effects of alcohol on the pyloric sphincter

The effects of an intoxicating dose of alcohol (79 g of 100 proof alcohol) on pyloric sphincter function were studied in 12 normal subjects using an infused manometric system. Alcohol had no effect on resting pyloric sphincter pressure. Intraduodenal administration of olive oil and hypertonic amino acids increased pyloric sphincter pressure significantly to 10.8 +/- 1.4 and 10.2 +/- 2.0 mm Hg, respectively. These responses were not affected by the administration of alcohol. In contrast, alcohol decreased the pyloric pressure response to duodenal acidification from 12.0 +/- 2.1 to 8.0 +/- 1.3 mm Hg (P less than 0.05). These results suggest that an intoxicating dose of alcohol may interfere with the normal function of the pyloric sphincter.