The influence of the luteal and follicular phases on major pharmacokinetic parameters of blood and breath alcohol kinetics in women

Abstract

Drink tests involving 14 women were carried out to determine the effects of the menstrual cycle phases on the pharmacokinetics of ethanol. One experiment was carried out in the follicular phase of the cycle and another in the luteal phase, with the estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone levels being determined in both cases. The target concentration was a final blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of approximately 0.08 g%. After drinking was completed, concurrent BAC and breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) measurements were carried out at intervals of 10–20 min. The ethanol elimination rate was determined by calculating a linear function in the part of the slope that was clearly linear. In addition, the c 0 and Widmark factors r were calculated. In 10 of the volunteers, who had a normal increase in progesterone in the luteal phase, the average hourly elimination rate ß 60 in the follicular phase amounted to 0.0194 ± 0.0020 g%/h (BAC) and 0.0975 ± 0.0068 mg/L/h (BrAC), and in the luteal phase to 0.0193 ± 0.0031 g%/h (BAC) and 0.1026 ± 0.0101 mg/L/h (BrAC). There was no significant difference. Other pharmacokinetic parameters ( c 0 concentrations, Widmark factors r, distribution volumes, maximal BAC, mean absorption rate, time until the peak concentrations were reached) also revealed no significant differences between the blood and breath alcohol levels of the luteal and follicular phases. In addition, no significant correlations were observed between the absolute progesterone level and the respective elimination rates ß 60.