Effects of Ethanol on the Absorption and Retention of Lead

To determine the effects of acute and chronic ethanol ingestion on the absorption of lead, experiments were performed using an in vivo isolated gut loop technique. Acute administration of 50% ethanol significantly reduced the absorption of lead at concentrations of 1 and 10 μg of Pb/ml. This effect appears to be independent of lead solubility in alcohol and is associated with structural changes in intestinal mucosa, suggesting toxicity. Absorption of a single dose of lead was also diminished in animals chronically exposed to ethanol. Elimination of a single intravenous dose of lead was not affected by chronic alcohol ingestion. These findings suggest that the clinically reported synergism of lead toxicity and ethanol is related not to increased lead absorption or diminished lead excretion but to nutritional deficiencies and increased lead exposure among some alcoholics.