Effect of the Prolonged Use of Ethyl Alcohol on Renal Function and Pathology in the Dog. 20

Abstract

1. Ethyl alcohol when given daily to dogs over long periods in an amount sufficient to induce symptoms of alcoholic intoxication is but slightly nephrotoxic in a structural sense. The evidence of structural changes in the kidneys has consisted in certain early changes in the glomeruli which have not been of constant occurrence and by an accumulation of stainable lipoid material in the epithelium of the tubules. 2. The experiments indicate that a functional disturbance may be induced in the kidney from the use of alcohol which is not dependent upon microscopically demonstrable structural changes. Such a disturbance has been characterized by an increase in urine formation and in a certain number of the animals by an albuminuria with casts. The elimination of phenolsulphonephthalein has hen variable. Such alterations in renal function other than a persistent decrease in the elimination of phenolsulphonephthalein tend to disappear with the discontinuance in the use of alcohol.