INHIBITION OF ETHANOL METABOLISM IN VIVO BY ADMINISTRATION OF PYRAZOLE

In experiments in rats, the in vivo effect of pyrazole on ethanol metabolism was studied. Pyrazole acts as a competitive ADH inhibitor. Ethanol at a dose of 32.6 m-mole/kg was administered. Blood samples were withdrawn at regular intervals, and ethanol analyzed by the automated ADH method and by gas chromatography. Pyrazole in doses of 0.07-8.82 m-mole/kg inhibited the elimination of ethanol by 20 to 90 per cent compared to the control experiments. In the control experiments, ethanol was eliminated in 4 hr, but, after a dose of 8.82 m-mole/kg pyrazole, elimination time was prolonged to between 35 and 50 hr. Inhibition of ethanol metabolism was confirmed by studies with 14C-1-ethanol, which showed a decrease in the excretion rate after pyrazole, with a subsequent decrease in the excretion of 14CO2. The specificity of the inhibitor is discussed. © 1969.