Blood glucose and body temperature alterations induced by ethanol in rats submitted to different levels of food deprivation.

The effects of 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 g/kg of ethanol on blood glucose levels and body temperature were examined in rats submitted to either acute food deprivation (24 or 48 hr), chronic starvation, or to both chronic plus acute food deprivation. The results show that: (a) 3.0 and 5.0 g/kg produced either an increase or a decrease of glucose levels depending on the state of fasting; (b) rats not deprived of food presented hyperglycemia while being hypothermic; (c) a marked hypothermia was present when no substantial alterations in glycemia were observed; and (d) in cases where hypoglycemia and hypothermia occurred, the fall in body temperature paralleled or preceded the decrease in glucose levels.