The effect of ethyl alcohol and some other diuretics on chloride excretion in man

Abstract

Evidence as to the nature of the diuresis following ingestion of ethyl alcohol (ethanol) suggests that it is similar to the diuresis following ingestion of water. In view of the lack of absolute proof of their identity, however, a further comparison of the two has been made in respect of certain properties by which a water diuresis can be differentiated from other types of diuresis. One such property is the response of the kidney in respect of excretion of chloride; an increased rate of urine flow is in general associated with an increased output of chloride, but, in a water diuresis, the great increase in rate of flow is accompanied by a diminished chloride output (Eggleton, 1943). The results of a series of class experiments on the effect of exercise on renal function, when different diuretics were used to promote urine flow, suggested that alcohol and water had the same effect in diminishing excretion of chloride (Eggleton, 1945), whereas tea increased it. The matter has now been investigated more fully and under more standardized conditions, without the additional effects of exercise. METHODSThe general procedure was the same as that used in previous investigations. Each experiment was performed at least 5 hr. after the last meal, usually in the early afternoon; if in the morning, breakfast was omitted. Usually a glass of water was taken 2-3 hr. before the experiment began, to ensure a reasonable state of body hydration. In the experiments now reported, all substances under investigation were taken by mouth, and at least one urine sample was collected before their ingestion.In a few of the earlier experiments, urinary chloride was determined by the electrometric titration method (Eggleton, Eggleton & Hamilton, 1937); in the remainder, a direct titration method, using tartrazine as indicator, was used with complete satisfaction. This method is simple and was foun& to be unexpectedly accurate over a wide range of chloride concentration in urine. The urine was delivered slowly from a 10 c.c. micro-burette into a boiling tube containing 2 c.c. 29-2

Some Postural Adjustments of Salt and Water Excretion 12

“…In acute experiments Pitressin administration leads to water retention without antisaluresis (7). That antisaluresis may occur without antidiuresis is less clear, although there is evidence that it may occur during alcohol diuresis (8,9) which probably works through depression of the supraoptic posterior pituitary system. It also apparently occurs in venous congestion of the limbs in patients with diabetes insipidus (10).…”

The Effect of Alcohol on the Renal Excretion of Water and Electrolyte 1

“…The most recent studies are those of Eggleton (10)(11)(12), whose subjects ingested alcohol diluted with considerable quantities of cider usually a few hours after breakfast. Her findings are in essential agreement with those to be reported below.…”

The Influence of Beer on the Rend Excretion of Water, Sodiuum and Potnssium1

“…This effect of the beer does not seem to be due to the alcohol, as a brandy-water mixture with the same alcohol concentration did not give rise to any of the effects observed in the beer experiments. I n earlier experiments (EGGLETON andSMITH 1946, STRAWS, ROSENBAUM, NELSON 1950), showing the diuretic effect of alcoholic liquors, much greater amounts of alcohol were used. And with all probability the alcohol concentration in the blood of our testees was lower in the beer experiments than in our experiments with brandy-water mixture.…”