EFFECT OF CARBON MONOXIDE ON THE RATE OF EXCRETION OF ETHANOL BY KIDNEYS

Abstract

Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that is colourless, odourless, and has the potential to cause momentary hypoxia by bonding with heme-inspired proteins. Because of these properties, it causes the highest number of toxications. Due to its properties, this gas causes damage to the nervous and cardiovascular system. The development of anoxia is associated with the impact on the system of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria and the development of oxidative stress in the body. The body produces a small amount of carbon monoxide as a result of erythrocyte breakdown. Picomolar concentrations of carbon monoxide even have anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, cytoprotective and antiproliferative properties. Kidney is one of the first organs, that responds to the occurrence of hypoxia, are responsible for the removal of products of metabolism and toxicants, including ethanol. For the study, the blood and urine samples were taken from patients with acute intoxication. The amount of methemoglobin in the blood was determined by spectrophotometric method. The concentration of ethanol in blood and urine was measured by gas-liquid chromatography method. The correlation analysis showed that carbon monoxide affects the rate of excretion of ethanol from the body. Among individuals under 40 years of age, there was a correlation between the level of carbon monoxide and the amount of ethanol in the blood. Among older adults this correlation was not established.  A direct correlation with the level of this gas in the blood and the level of ethanol in the urine among people under 40 years of age was found. Among older individuals, the opposite was observed – a high level of methemoglobin was responsible for the decreased level of ethanol. There were no correlations between methemoglobin level and age. Comparison of the studied indices did not show any sexual differences in ethanol excretion, but there were age specific features: ethanol excretion under the influence of carbon monoxide among people under 40 years old was more accelerated.