Effect of ascorbic acid on plasma alcohol clearance.

The effects of short-term and long-term ascorbic acid supplements on plasma alcohol clearance were studied in 13 clinically healthy male subjects. Two dose levels of alcohol, 0.5 and 0.8 g/kg body weight, were used. Blood samples were taken at zero time, 0.5 hours, then hourly up to 6 hours after alcohol consumption for the measurement of plasma alcohol and ascorbic acid levels, red-cell reduced glutathione level, and plasma alanine aminotransferase activity. At both dosages of alcohol, short-term as well as long-term pretreatment with ascorbic acid significantly enhanced the clearance of plasma alcohol. Although long-term ascorbic acid pretreatment resulted in better alcohol clearance, no significant difference in alcohol clearance was found between short-term and long-term ascorbic acid pretreatment. The two dose levels of alcohol had no significant effect on the red-cell reduced glutathione concentration or plasma alanine aminotransferase activity.