Ethanol metabolism in men and women.

Data from the Colorado Alcohol Research on Twins and Adoptees project were analyzed to determine whether 63 women and 75 men differ on three measures of ethanol pharmacokinetics: absorption rate, peak blood alcohol level and elimination rate. The data on women were analyzed separately to investigate whether female hormones influenced the measures of ethanol metabolism by comparing groups tested at different phases of the menstrual cycle and a group who were taking oral contraceptives. Subjects were given 0.80 g of alcohol per kg of body weight diluted by 7 parts of carbonated water or a sugar- and caffeine-free soft drink. This dose was calculated to bring their blood alcohol level (BAL) to near 100 mg/dl. Additional doses were given at the end of each of the next 2 hr in an attempt to maintain BAL near peak for approximately 3 hr. An analysis of beta 60 values showed that women metabolized ethanol faster than men, regardless of phase of menstrual cycle or whether they were taking birth control pills. There was a small gender difference in peak BAL and no gender difference in time to peak BAL. It was also found that the peak BAL attained by subjects had a substantial effect on the beta 60. The effects of smoking, age, ponderal index and reported drinking habits on ethanol metabolism were also analyzed.