Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Ethanol ; blood ; Humans ; Methanol ; blood

Investigation in our laboratory has been undertaken to study the effect of ethanol on the triglyceride (TG) content in the liver, the free fatty acid (FFA) content in the serum and the glycogen in the liver of rats which were fed on various diets. Four hours after administration of a sing1e dose of glucose (5g/kg BW.) and ethanol (6g/kg BW.) by gavage tube to rats fed a norma1 diet for 20 days then fasted for 18 hours, TG content in the liver increased by 80%, 10% compared to the control. When a sing1e dose of equal amounts of both glucose and ethanol were administered to another group, TG content in the liver was 42% higher than the control. There was no great change in serum FFA content in the glucose treated group as compared with the control, however, there was an increment of serum FFA content in the ethanol treated group and in the group treated with both ethanol and glucose by 81% and 71% of the control, respectively. The results indicate that ethanol administration had an inhibitory effect on the TG accumulation in the liver of rats fed by glucose. There is a correlation between TG accumulation in the liver and FFA content in the serum, and it appears that the ethanol administration did not induce the TG accumulation in the liver but the increment of serum FFA content in rats is probably due to the increased fatty acid mobilization from adipose tissue. However, countercurrent results were observed in the glucose treated group as compared with the ethanol treated group suggesting that glucose administration does induce TG accumulation in the liver but does not increase the serum FFA content in rats. The increment of serum FFA content in rats. The increment of serum FFA content by ethanol treatment was not ameliorated by glucose administration. In the liver perfusion experiment with rats fed both ethanol and various other diets, the results of incorporation of ethanol-1-14C into the total lipid in the high carbohydrate, high fat, low carbohydrate and control diet group were 1925 +/- 257 (cpm/g liver), 1237 +/- 76, 1269 +/- 105, 2041 +/- 74, respective1y. The results indicate that amount of dietary carbohydrate and high fat had an effect on the total lipid accumulation derived from ethanol-1-14C molecule in the liver. Liver glycogen content in the control on rats, high fat, 1ow carbohydrate and high carbohydrate diets were 91.5 +/- 7.9(mg%), 93.0 +/- 1.8, 99.1 +/- 4.4, and 153.7 +/- 26.0, respectively. There were no great differences between each dietary group and the rest control group except in the case of the high carbohydrate group which was over 1.5 times greater than that of the control. The incorporation of labelled ethanol into liver glycogen in the control rats and those on high fatdiet, low carbohydrate diet and high carbohydrate diet were 525, 401, 351 and 806 cpm/g liver, respectively. The increased incorporation of ethanol-1-14C into liver glycogen in the high carbohydrate diet group is thought to be due to the increased gluconeogenesis from acetyl CoA derived from 14C from ethanol because rats were fasted for 18 hours before perfusion. It might be the result of increased gluconegenesis of acetyl CoA derived from ethanol-1-14C by spare action of high carbohydrate on acetyl CoA. During the liver perfusion, 14CO2 production from ethanol-1-14C was higher in the high fat diet and low carbohydrate diet groups than in the control group, however, no great difference was observed between the high carbohydrate and control groups. The higher production of 14CO2 from the single ethanol-1-14C dose in rats on the high fat diet and low carbohydrate diet groups than in the control group is probably due to the increased metabolism of ethanol through Kreb's cycle rather than the incorporation of it into the liver fat.
Animal ; Diet ; Ethanol/metabolism ; Ethanol/pharmacology* ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified/blood ; Glucose/pharmacology ; In Vitro ; Liver/metabolism* ; Male ; Rats ; Triglycerides/metabolism*

It is known that onion increases antioxidative and antibiotic capacity, and decreases blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The study was carried out to investigate whether ethanol extract of onion can enhance blood lipid profiles in hypercho-lesterolemic patients. Fourty three hypercholesterolemic patients were randomly divided into 2 groups ;25 in controls and 18 in experimental group. The control group was offered to take placebo for 4 weeks (200 ml/day ), and experimental group was offered to consume ethanol extract of onion for 8 weeks (200 ml/day that corresponds to 500 g of onion ). There were no differences in sex, age, body mass index (BMI )and educational levels between groups before treatment. After 8 weeks of onion extract consumption, plasma triglycerides level was significantly decreased in experimental group com-pared to control (p < 0.05 ). Total cholesterol level was tended to decrease in experimental group, but there was no sig-nificant difference of change between control and experimental group. The levels of plasma glucose and LDL-cholesterol were not changed significantly after onion extract consumption. In summary, alcohol extract of onion may have a positive effect on the lipid profiles of hypercholesterolemia patients through decreasing plasma triglyceride concentration.
Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Ethanol* ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia* ; Onions* ; Plasma ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVE: To discuss blood collection tubes with different additives and their effects on the testing results of alcohol concentration in blood samples. METHODS: Blood samples from 10 volunteers were collected 2 hours after drinking with seven different types of disposable vacuum blood collection tubes, including ordinary tube without anticoagulant, coagulant tube, separating gel-coagulant tube, sodium citrate (1:4) tube, sodium citrate (1:9) tube, sodium citrate (9:1) tube and EDTA-K2 tube. The alcohol concentrations in these blood samples were analyzed by headspace gas chromatography. RESULTS: The concentration testing results of the same blood samples in different types of tubes were different from one to another. The sequence was as follows: separating gel-coagulant tube > coagulant tube > ordi- nary tube without anticoagulant > EDTA-K2 tube> sodium citrate (1:9) tube> sodium citrate (1:4) tube, whereas the results of the same blood sample in sodium citrate (1:9) tube and sodium citrate (9:1) tube showed no obvious difference. CONCLUSION It is better to collect a suspicious drunk driver's blood sam- ple using a disposable vacuum blood collection tube, with the EDTA-K2 tube being preferred.
Anticoagulants ; Blood Specimen Collection/methods* ; Citrates ; Ethanol/blood* ; Humans ; Sodium Citrate

BACKGROUND: Although many laboratories use automated blood culture systems, adequate skin disinfection and optimal blood volume are still critical for successful culture. The authors undertook a nationwide survey to understand the current situation and problems of blood culture in Korea. METHODS: A survey of blood culture was performed in March and April 2010, including disinfectants, blood collection intervals, and recommended blood volumes. The laboratory physicians described the storage condition of culture bottles before delivery to the equipment. For quality control, the positive rate and skin contamination rate were studied. RESULTS: Replies to the survey were collected from 74 Korean hospitals. Povidone iodine after either isopropyl alcohol or ethanol application was the most common means of skin disinfection. Sampling of a second set of cultures was performed simultaneously in 38% of hospitals and after a 30-min interval in 50%. The recommended blood volume was 10 mL in most cases (69%), but was 20 mL in 24% of cases. The bottles were stored at 37degrees C before installation in 23% of cases and at room temperature in 16%, whereas 57% were placed directly in the equipment during the night shift. Positive rates ranged 8-10% in 32% of hospitals, 5-8% in 23%, and <5% in 12%. Skin contamination rates were 2-3% in 32% of hospitals, 1-2% in 27%, and >3% in 13%. CONCLUSION: Skin disinfection methods were rather variable. Sampling interval, blood volume, and storage of bottles should be standardized. More than 10% of the hospitals require quality improvement in terms of positive rate and skin contamination rates.
2-Propanol ; Bacteremia ; Blood Volume ; Disinfectants ; Disinfection ; Ethanol ; Povidone-Iodine ; Quality Control ; Quality Improvement ; Sepsis ; Skin

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relation of onset-age and plasma level of beta-endorphin, Ethanol, beta-endorphin, cortisol and blood glucose were compared in 48 male alcoholics and 29 normal controls. METHODS: Alcoholics are divided into two groups by onset-age of alcoholism. Blood samples were obtained before and after 0.75gm/kg of ethanol consumption at the 7th admission day. RESULTS: 1) The ratio of onset-age before 25 years to after 25 years of the patients group was 2 to 3. 2) There was no significant difference in age at admission between two patient groups. 3) There was no significant difference in change of plasma ethanol levels among three groups. 4) There was no significant difference in change of plasma beta-endorphin levels among three groups. 5) There was no significant difference in change of plasma cortisol levels among three groups. 6) There was no significant difference in change of fasting blood sugar levels among two patient groups.
Alcoholics ; Alcoholism* ; beta-Endorphin* ; Blood Glucose ; Ethanol ; Fasting ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Male ; Plasma

OBJECTIVES: To evaluated the relation of familial history of alcoholism and plasma level of beta-endorphin, ethanol, beta-endorphin, cortisol and blood glucose were compared in 48 male alcoholics and 29 normal controls. METHODS: Subjects are divided into two groups by family history of alcoholism. Blood samples were obtained before and after 0.75mg/kg of ethanol consumption a 7th admission day. RESULTS: 1) The ratio of family history positive to negative of the patient group was 2 to 1. 2) The age at admission of positive family history group was younger than negative groups. 3) There was no significant difference in change of plasma ethanol level among three groups. 4) There was no significant difference in change of plasma beta-endorphin level among three group. 5) There was no significant difference in change of plasma cortisol level among three groups. 6) There was no significant difference in change of fasting blood sugar level between two patients groups.
Alcoholics ; Alcoholism* ; beta-Endorphin* ; Blood Glucose ; Ethanol ; Fasting ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Male ; Plasma

Previous studies of Dendrobium officinale on anti-hypertension effect always focused only on the blood pressure,while polysaccharides of D. officinale( DOP) have been traditionally considered as one of the main effective substances. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ethanol extract from D. officinale( DOE) on blood pressure,Glu and lipid profile in metabolic hypertensive rats induced by comprehensive dietary factors,and elucidate the composition of effective fractions from DOE. A metabolic hypertension model of rat induced by high-sugar,high-fat diet and alcohol drinking was adopted to evaluate the effect of DOE on hypertension and other metabolic disorders. Blood pressure,Glu and lipid profile were detected to find the features and differences of DOE and DOP on metabolic hypertension. Furthermore,DOE was separated with three different common solvents according to the polarity. Along with blood pressure,Glu,UA and lipid profile,hemorheology,oxidative index and aortas structure changes were adopted to evaluate the comprehensive effects of the most effective fractions on metabolic hypertension. Finally,HPLC-DAD-MS was adopted to identify the components of the most effective fraction. The SBP and Glu of models were decreased significantly after administration of DOE and DOP for 6 weeks,while TG in DOE groups also reduced dramatically. The DOE was separated with ether,n-butanol respectively and named NAF,NBF and NCF. SBP,TG,Glu,UA of model rats were decreased significantly after 4 weeks administration with NBF. The level of MDA in serum was down-regulated,while GSH-Px and T-AOC were up-regulated obviously after 12 weeks.And the blood viscosity also obviously decreased,with less collagen deposition of aortas by Masson's trichrome staining. NBF was mainly composed of phenols and flavone C-glycosides,whose aglycone was apigenin,and monosaccharide was connected to C-6 and C-8. Ethanol extract from D.officinale has an positive effect in alleviating hypertension and metabolic disorders in metabolic hypertension. Medium polarity fraction was the effective fraction of alcohol extraction from D. officinale,and mainly composed of phenols and flavone C-glycosides.
Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Dendrobium ; Ethanol ; Hypertension/drug therapy* ; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use* ; Rats

OBJECTIVES: To establish an automation system for detection of alcohol content in blood. METHODS: The determination was performed by automated workstation of extraction-headspace gas chromatography （HS-GC）. The blood collection with negative pressure, sealing time of headspace bottle and sample needle were checked and optimized in the abstraction of automation system. The automatic sampling was compared with the manual sampling. RESULTS: The quantitative data obtained by the automated workstation of extraction-HS-GC for alcohol was stable. The relative differences of two parallel samples were less than 5%. The automated extraction was superior to the manual extraction. A good linear relationship was obtained at the alcohol concentration range of 0.1-3.0 mg/mL （r≥0.999） with good repeatability. CONCLUSIONS The method is simple and quick, with more standard experiment process and accurate experimental data. It eliminates the error from the experimenter and has good repeatability, which can be applied to the qualitative and quantitative detections of alcohol in blood.
Automation ; Chromatography, Gas/methods* ; Ethanol/blood* ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods*

This study was performed to clarify the overall inter-relationships between the arteriosclerotic risk factors, including smoking, alcoholic consumption, obesity, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high density lipoprotein, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure using a meta analysis method. The subjects of this study were included in 24 primary studies reported in Korea since 1980, which concerned arteriosclerotic risk factors. The results show that smoking is significantly associated with total cholesterol (R = .04), triglyceride (R = .10) and HDL-cholesterol (R = -.06). Alcohol consumption is also significantly and positively associated with all three serum lipid parameters: cholesterol (R = .04), triglyceride (R = .08) and HDL-cholesterol (R = .10). The effect of smoking and alcohol consumption on cholesterol levels were found to be almost equal. However, smoking has a predominant effect on triglyceride, whereas, alcohol consumption exerts an influence primarily on the HDL-cholesterol level. Obesity was positively correlated with cholesterol (R = .25) and triglyceride (R = .21), however, it was negatively correlated with HDL-cholesterol (R = -.14). It appears that the serum lipid parameter, which shows strongest correlation with obesity, is the total cholesterol level. Obesity also showed a significant correlation with systolic (R = .19) and diastolic blood pressure (R = .13). Blood pressure was also positively correlated with cholesterol (R = .18) and triglyceride (R = .26), however, it correlated negatively with HDL-cholesterol (R = -.23). In conclusion, the overall inter-relationships between the arteriosclerotic risk factors; smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, serum lipid level and blood pressure were all found to be significant.
Arteriosclerosis/etiology* ; Blood Pressure ; Ethanol/adverse effects ; Human ; Lipids/blood ; Lipoproteins, HDL Cholesterol/blood ; Obesity/complications ; Risk Factors ; Smoking/adverse effects