Experimental basis of standardized specimen collection: The effect of moderate ethanol consumption on some serum components (K, Na, ASAT, ALAT, CK, LD, total protein)

Abstract

Venous blood was collected on two mornings from seven healthy volunteers using the standard Scandinavian procedure (fasting, sitting and no tourniquet) and serum Na, K, ASAT, ALAT, CK, LD and total protein were assayed. Then ethanol (0.75 g/kg body weight) was given on three consecutive evenings and the subsequent observed values 1, 3, 15, 38, 62 and 110 h post-ethanol were compared with the morning values. The mean component/total protein ratios dropped 14% for ASAT and 19% for ALAT 62 and 15 h post-ethanol, respectively. CK rose 17% at 3 h and dropped 17% at 62 h. However, the absolute values of ASAT, ALAT and CK did not change significantly. The only significant post-ethanol changes occurred in Na +2.14 mmol/l at 1 h (p<0.01), K -0.24 mmol/l at 3 h (p<0.05) and +0.26 mmol/l at 15 h (p<0.05), and LD +31 IU/l at 15 h (p<0.05) and +25 IU/l at 110 h (p<0.01). In one series, the total protein concentration dropped 4.57 g/l at 110 h post ethanol (p<0.001) but this drop was not reproducible in two additional series. It is concluded that moderate (social) ethanol consumption does not produce clinically significant effects on the components analysed. Also it may be misleading to express results as component/total protein ratios.

Key words:

• pre-analytical factors
• ethanol consumption
• specimen collection