Alterations in arginine-induced pancreatic hormone release: influence of acute and chronic exposure to ethanol.

Acute oral administration of ethanol (150 and 750 mg/100g) to fasted rats produced dose-related inhibition of arginine-induced insulin (IRI) release, an elevation of plasma glucagon (IRG) levels and minor effects on blood glucose. In contrast, chronic consumption of ethanol for 10 weeks augmented arginine-induced hyperglycemia and hperinsulinemia. Thus, acute ethanol administration decreased plasma IRI levels at both doses, presumably by suppressing beta cell function; whereas, function of the alpha cell and plasma IRG levels were increased, but only by the high dose of ethanol. In these experiments the effects exerted by ethanol on the pancreatic endocrine responses to arginine infusion varied according to: dose of ethanol administered; duration of exposure to ethanol; and state of nourishment of the subjects.