Gender differences in blood glucose and uric acid levels induced by varying doses of alcohol in man

Gender differences in blood glucose and uric acid levels induced by varying doses of alcohol in man

Journal Article

2009

Trastornos Adictivos

11

1

35 - 38

2009

15750973 (ISSN)

Objective: To study the gender differences in plasma glucose and uric acid levels caused by varying doses of alcohol. Materials and methods: 64 (36 male and 28 female) healthy, light drinkers (< 20 g ethanol/day) between the ages of twenty-five and thirty-six years were selected as volunteers. Results: The administration of 0.325, 0.650 and 1,300 g ethanol/kg body weight, reduced plasma glucose by 2, 11 and 16% respectively, in males and by 1, 4 and 7% in female subjects, respectively. These doses respectively increased plasma uric acid by 6, 20 and 32% in males and by 14, 40 and 56% in females (p > 0.05: except for the 56% difference). Conclusions: Although, these changes were not demonstrated to be statistically significant, sex is implicated to influence the manner alcohol affects the metabolism of glucose and uric acid. Recently, hypoglycaemia and hyperuricaemia have been observed to be risk factors of brain damage and cardiovascular disorders, respectively. The involvement of chronic and excessive consumption of ethanol in brain damage and cardiovascular dysfunction via disturbances in plasma glucose and uric acid levels, respectively, deserve further investigations.