Anti-inflammatory effect of ethanol and other alcohols on rat paw edema and pleurisy.

The rat paw edema due to carrageenan, yeast, and dextran was dose-dependently antagonized by oral administration of ethanol. Carrageenan-induced paw edema was also inhibited by methanol, 1-propanol, and 1-butanol. The rat carrageenan pleurisy was reduced by oral pretreatment with methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol, and dimethyl sulfoxide. Central depression, altered adrenal functions, increased osmolality, and hypothermia were no important factors for these actions of solvents. It is concluded that the inhibitory effect of ethanol on inflammatory responses increases the susceptibility of alcoholics to infection.