Effect of Ethanol on Adrenaline and Noradrenaline Secretion of the Adrenal Gland in the Dog

Conscious dogs were infused intravenously with ethanol solution in a dose of 0.7-1.0g/kg. Before and after the ethanol infusion, the adrenal venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for adrenaline and noradrenaline fluorimetrically. In dogs infused with ethanol in a dose of 0.7g/kg, the blood ethanol concentration was elevated to 70-120mg/100ml. The animals became depressed but did not sleep. No change in adrenaline and noradrenaline secretion of the adrenal gland was observed. In dogs infused with 1.0g/kg of ethanol, the blood ethanol concentration just after the end of the infusion was 191-241mg/100ml. The animals lay down and slept deeply. In 3 out of 5 dogs the adrenal medullary secretion rates remained unaltered and in the other 2 dogs a definite increase in adrenaline and noradrenaline secretion was observed after the administration of ethanol.