Effects of Alanine and Glutamine Supplementation on Alcohol Metabolism in ICR Mice

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of oral supplementation of alanine and glutamine on alcohol metabolism. The subjects were 70 male ICR mice weighing 25-30 g. The animals were raised on standard rations artier weaning. After 24 hours of fasting, all the animals were given a peritoneal injection of 20% alcohol. Then, they were randomly divided into two groups: control and experimental. Fifteen minutes after the injection of alcohol, the mice in the experimental group wer given an oral solution of alanine(5 mM, 2 g/kg B. W) and glutamine (5 mM, 2g/kg B.W). The concentration of alcohol in the blood was measured in all the mice 20 minutes after they received the alochol, and the measurements continued every 20 minutes up to 140 minutes. The experimental group sustained lower blood alcohol levels at every 20 minute time interval compared to the control group, showing that oral supplementation of alanine and glutamine increases the rate of alcohol metabolism. Furthermore, the total amount of alcohol remaining in the blood, determined by using the Area Under the Curve (AUG) method, was lower in the group supplemented with alanine and glutamine, However, the effectiveness of alanine and glutamine in increasing the rate of alcohol metabolism, compared to the control group, diminished with time throughout the experiment. In conclusion, alanine and glutamine supplementation appears to promote alcohol metabolism shorthy after alcohol intake.