The role of the liver in the acute effect of alcohol on androgens in women

The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal and -adrenal axes are regarded as the ma in sites of the actions of alcohol on steroids. in the present study the ef fect of alcohol (0.4-0.5 g/kg, orally) on venous plasma and urinary androge ns was investigated in 21 premenopausal women using oral contraceptives as well as in 10 premenopausal nonusers. After intake of alcohol, an acute elevation in plasma testosterone, a decli ne in androstenedione levels, and an elevation in the ratio of testosterone to androstenedione were observed in both groups. The effects lasted throug hout the period of ethanol elimination anti were abolished during pretreatm ent with 4-methylpyrazole (10-15 mg/kg, orally). The acute effects were hig her in the group using oral contraceptives than in the nonusers. The testos terone effect in plasma was reflected in the free testosterone fraction. A decline in urinary androsterone and etiocholanolone levels, the principal c atabolic products of androgens, was observed during alcohol intoxication. In conclusion, the present acute effects on plasma and urinary steroid horm ones seem to be explained by an inhibited catabolism mediated by the alcoho l-induced change in the redox state in the liver. Our results suggests that the liver should be included as a major site in the acute endocrinological effects of alcohol on steroid hormones in women.