Lead/ethanol interactions II: Pharmacokinetics

Adult male rats were exposed ad libitum to water containing either 500 ppm lead acetate (group-lead) or an equivalent amount of sodium acetate (group-control) for 60 days prior to receiving ip injections of either 1.0, 2.0, or 3.0 g/kg ethanol (20% v/v). Blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) were recorded over a 6-h time period postinjection, and the groups were compared at each dose for differences in the pattern of ethanol pharmacokinetics. While there was a dose-related effect obtained with increasing ethanol dose producing increasing BAC values, at no dose was there any evidence of group separation at any point during the 6-h postinjection period. These data are instructive with respect to understanding the nature of previously demonstrated lead/ethanol interactions, and rule out the possibility that lead-induced disturbances in the catalysis of ethanol, or some other pharmacokinetic operation, is the basis for the effects of lead on ethanol intake and ethanol administration. Alternative possible accounts of this curious interaction between a xenobiotic contaminant and alcohol are discussed.