Observations on the Effect of Ethanol on the Urinary Excretion of Histamine, 5‐Hydroxyindole Acetic Acid, Catecholamines and 17‐Hydroxycorticosteroids in Man

Perman E. S. Observations on the effect of ethanol on the urinary excretion of histamine, 5‐hydroxyindole acetic acid, catecholamines and 17‐hydroxy‐corticosteroids in man. In healthy young men the urinary excretion of histamine and 5‐hydroxyindole acetic acid did not indicate that ethanol in moderate doses (0.5‐0.7 g/kg) releases histamine or serotonin in the organism. This makes it unlikely that flushing produced by moderate ethanol doses is associated with the release of one of these substances. The adrenaline excretion after ethanol (0.3‐0.4 g/kg) indicated a modest and short‐lasting effect on the adrenal medullary secretion. The significance of this effect is discussed. No evidence for a concomitant change in the secretion from the adrenal cortex after ethanol (0.5‐0.7 g/kg) was obtained.