The effect of ethanol on glucose homeostasis

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Abstract
The effect of an intravenous infusion of ethanol was examined on the rates of hepatic glucose production (Ra) and overall glucose utilization (Rd) in conscious dogs in the postabsorptive state under basal conditions and in insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, after a 4-day fast or in diabetes. The rates were calculated by a tracer infusion method with 3H-labelled glucose as the tracer. The concentrations of glucose, lactate, insulin, and ethanol in plasma or blood were determined, and the rate of ethanol utilization estimated. The infusion of 0.04 or 0.24–0.29 mmol ethanol/kg per minute did not change the concentration of glucose in normal or diabetic dogs in the postabsorptive state, whereas a small decrease in fasted dogs was observed especially when ethanol was infused at the lower rate. Plasma lactate levels were increased; insulin levels did not change. Ra was transiently decreased in fasted dogs, but not in the postabsorptive state in normal or diabetic animals. Ethanol had no effect on the magnitude of the increase in Ra during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. The estimated rate of ethanol utilization was reduced by fasting but not in diabetes. In conclusion, ethanol did not decrease the elevated rate of gluconeogenesis in diabetic dogs, nor did it interfere with the hepatic response to hypoglycaemia.