Invasion and distribution of methanol.

After the enzyme systems responsible for methanol oxidation were blocked by ethanol, five test persons were given methanol at a dose of approximately 10 mg/kg weight, once orally and once parenterally. Taking into account the endogenous blood methanol levels detectable before the administration of methanol, C0 concentrations of 11.1-15.9 mg/kg were reached. This corresponds to a distribution volume of approximately 0.77 +/- 0.07 l/kg, which is comparable to the 0.78 +/- 0.09 l/kg obtained for ethanol. After parenterally administering methanol as a bolus, the distribution half-life was on average 8 min (range: 3.8-13.8 min). After oral administration of methanol diluted in 100 ml water on an empty stomach, invasion took place with a half-life of approximately 5 min (3.8-6.9 min). In one case, however, due to vegetative disturbances the invasion half-life was 23.1 min.