METABOLISM OF ACETATE - EXPERIMENTAL-STUD Y

Plasma levels of ethanol and acetate, which is the end product of hepa tic ethanol oxidation, have been studied in 60 rats. Animals were divi ded into two groups: 1) Control rats, and 2) Alcohol-treated rats. Eth anol and acetate were measured without any previous handling (endogeno us levels) and after intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of eth anol. Blood specimens were taken at 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 minutes a fter ethanol injection. Plasma levels of ethanol and acetate were perf ormed by Head Space Gas Chromatography. Alcohol-treated animals had hi gher plasma acetate levels than control ones. There were statistically significant differences for acetate between both groups of rats at 0, 30, 120 and 180 minutes.