Acute alcohol administration attenuates insulin-mediated glucose use by skeletal muscle

Experimental study of the effect of acute alcohol treatment on tissue uptake of glucose under basal conditions or after a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp in fasted rats shows that acute alcohol weakens basal and hormone-induced glucose uptake in a tissue-specific manner. Decreased glucose recycling in humans after acute alcohol uptake can also be attributed to this inhibitory effect of alcohol on glucose use in skeletal muscles. Alcohol inhibits insulin-stimulated glucose use selectively in muscles, having no effects on other tissues.