Protective effects of zinc sulfate and L-lysine on acute ethanol toxicity in mice

Survival rates were determined in three groups of male CF-1 mice, treated ip with single and multiple doses of zinc sulfate and/or l-lysine, each alone and in combination, followed by administration of an acute toxic dose of ethanol 1 hr post-treatment. Significant protective effects were observed in all pretreated groups. Zinc and lysine (combined)-treated groups showed a maximal protective effect. Blood ethanol determinations were also made in mice similarly pretreated with zinc sulfate (5 μg/kg) and/or l-lysine (2.5 g/kg) ip and subjected to 4.55 g/kg ethanol ip 1 hr post-treatment. Blood ethanol values were significantly lower in the lysine-treated group (P < 0.05) at 0.5 hr and the zinc-lysine group (P < 0.001) at 1 hr. The zinc-treated group showed a steeper ethanol disappearance curve beyond 2 hr. Histological evaluations of livers from treated and ethanol control animals showed no pathological changes in any group.