Effect of alcohol ingestion on urinary excretion and intraerythrocyte concentrations of sodium and potassium.

Although epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that alcohol consumption is related to increased blood pressure, the mechanism involved has not been fully understood. In the present study the urinary excretion and intraerythrocyte concentrations of sodium and potassium after alcohol ingestion were measured in 7 young adults. Decreases of urinary excretion of sodium and potassium and an increase in intraerythrocyte sodium were observed. The results suggest that alterations of the electrolyte metabolism influenced by alcohol ingestion may be related to alcohol-induced hypertension.