Reduced production of superoxide (02(-)] in peritoneal macrophages of the rat submitted to acute alcoholic intoxication

Acute ethanol administration by intragastric tube caused an impairment of the superoxide anion production by rat peritoneal macrophages as compared to controls. Since the oxidative-dependent microbicidal system plays a crucial role, at cellular level, in the host defence mechanisms, this work may explain, at last in part, the reduced resistence of alcoholics to infections.