Renin, aldosterone and Cortisol during ethanol intoxication and hangover

Abstract

The effect of ethanol intoxication and hangover on plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone (PA) and plasma cortisol (PC) concentrations was studied in 7 healthy supine men in controlled clinical conditions during 18 h beginning at 1800 h. Large individual variation was observed in the response of PRA, PA and PC to ethanol. Following ethanol, stimulation of PRA was observed at the 14th and the 16th hour (P < 0.05), of PA at the 4th and the 6th hour (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) and of PC at the 4th and the 14th hour (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Ethanol ingestion suppressed PC during the 1st hour (P < 0.02). Water ingestion at 0800 suppressed PA between the 14th and the 16th hour (0800-1000 h) in control and ethanol experiment (P < 0.01 and P < 0.005, respectively). There was a dissociation between PRA and PA, but intra-individually PRA and PA correlated fairly or well. Plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) and PC were also significantly correlated. Changes in PA and PC as well as the dissociation of PRA and PA after ethanol ingestion might be partly related to dehydration and to the increased secretion of hypothalamic and pituitary hormones as well as to Na and K balance. There was a biphasic effect of ethanol, including an initial suppression of PC and a subsequent increase of PC, PRA and PA. Upright posture may exaggerate the stimulating effect of ethanol on PRA, PA and PC.