The swift increase in alcohol metabolism. Inhibition by propylthiouracil

Administration of a single large dose of ethanol (5 g/kg) to rats elevates the rates of ethanol metabolism and of oxygen consumption in perfused livers in 2-3 hr. Pretreatment with the antithyroid drug propylthiouracil (PTU) for 10 days abolished both of these effects. Under all treatment conditions studied (controls; PTU-pretreatment; acute ethanol treatment; PTU-pretreated + acute ethanol treatment),, a significant correlation between ethanol metabolism and oxygen consumption was observed (r = 0.86). It is concluded that a normal thyroidal state is required to evoKe the swift increase in alcohol metabolism (SIAM) and an elevation of oxygen consumption.