Ethanol 'dose-dependent' elimination: Michaelis-Menten v classical kinetic analysis.

1 To compare classical linear regression techniques and a Michaelis-Menten elimination model eight normal human volunteers each received three intravenous doses (0.375, 0.5, and 0.75 g/kg) of ethanol and four of the subjects each received four oral doses (0.5, 0.65, 0.95, 1.25 g/kg) of ethanol. 2 Computerized analysis of the time-plasma concentration profiles using a two-compartment Michaelis-Menton elimination model yielded a median absorption constant of 1.29 h-1; volume of distribution of 0.47 l/kg; Vmax of 0.12 g h-1 kg-1; and Km of 0.03 g/l. Classical techniques resulted in a slope of 0.20 g l-1 h-1, volume of distribution of 0.55 l/kg, and a B60 of 0.11 g h-1 kg-1. 3 Transient post-prandial decreases in elimination slope occurred at higher oral doses. A trend of increasing slope with increasing oral dose was seen at concentrations well above the Km. Time to sobriety (0.8 g/l) increased nonlinearly with increasing peak concentration. 4 Maximal ethanol elimination rates are determined equally well by the two techniques. Classical analyses overestimate the volume of distribution of ethanol by 17%. Neither technique helps explain the post-prandial changes in slope or increasing slope with dose at high concentrations.