Electrolytes and Osmolality in Alcoholics During Experimentally Induced Intoxication

Serum and urine osmolality and electrolytes were measured in 6 alcoholic subjects prior to, during, and following a period of experimentally induced ethanol intoxication. A significant increase in serum osmolality was correlated with increased levels of serum sodium. Diuresis only occurred during the initial phase of alcohol administration and did not persist during prolonged drinking. Hematocrit levels decreased although dietary and vitamin intake was adequate. A significant decrease in urine electrolyte excretion occurred during the alcohol ingestion phase even though urine volume output did not differ from prealcohol values. It is postulated that chronic ethanol intake is associated with electrolyte derangements which cannot be explained by known diuretic or hormonal changes induced by ethanol ingestion.