Ethyl alcohol induced skin temperature changes evaluated by thermography. Preliminary results

The authors have investigated the validity of thermography in the study of ethyl alcohol induced hand blood flow changes in normal subjects before and after a standard meal. The superficial temperature changes of the hand of ten healthy subjects, 7 males and 3 females, 25-40 years old, were recorded in 4 conditions: a) on an empty stomach, b) after ingestion of a standard dose of ethyl alcohol (25 cc of whisky at 40%, corresponding to 10 g of alcohol), c) after a standard meal (1200 Kcal), d) after a standard meal and a standard dose of alcohol. Three male subjects were not drinkers. Arterial blood pressure and ECG were monitored during the different phases of the experiment. Results show a typical time course of the hand temperature in response to intake of alcohol, stronger in fasting non drinkers subjects. Our results confirm the valuable role of thermography in the study of alcohol-induced calorigenic effects.