[Metallothionein level in liver, bone marrow, and lymphocytes of rats after administering ethanol]

The levels of metallothioneins in the rat liver, bone marrow and lymphocytes were shown to be increased 24 hours after intraperitoneal administration of ethanol in doses of 1 to 5 mg/kg. There was a linear dependence of the hepatic levels of metallothioneins upon the dose of alcohol. The increase in the levels of metallothioneins was less pronounced in the bone marrow and lymphocytes than in the liver. The effect detected is likely to be associated with the redistribution of zinc during alcoholic intoxication. It is suggested that the increase in the pool of metallothioneins in the bone marrow and lymphocytes is an essential stage for protecting the cells that determine the body's immunity in intoxication.