Concentrations of ethanol similar to those in the blood of intoxicated patients suppressed phytohemagglutinin- or streptolysin O-induced lymphocyte transformation, and inhibited bone marrow granulocyte colony growth in soft agar. Inhibition of lymphocyte transformation and granulocyte colony growth occurred despite the presence of large concentrations of folate and other vitamins. These in vitro findings may relate to in vivo effects of ethanol on myeloid and lymphoid tissue.
