The concentration of apparent endogenous ethanol.

HE CONCENTRATIONS of endogenous ethanol reported in various tissues were the subject of recent review (1). It was concluded that the available evidence points to a normal level of ethyl alcohol in humans of between 20 and 30 mg. per liter of blood or serum. Such concentrations require the formation of ethanol in amounts equivalent to between 14 and 20 per cent of the basal metabolic rate. Because of their pe rtinence to a `x theory of the etiology of alcoholism, apart even from its intrinsic interest as a possibly important intermediary pathway, experiments have been performed in the manner suggested in the review in an attempt to clarify the issues. It has not been possible to confirm the concentrations reported. The present paper describes the techniques used and the results obtained.