Alcohol Flashcards
what are 2 characteristics of EtOH?
water-soluble and can cross membranes
how much EtOH is there in one drink? (1 glass of wine/beer/shot)
13.98g (23.3g EtOH/oz. x 0.6 oz)
what is considered alcoholic binging?
4 or 5 drinks on one occasion in the last 30 days
how does food affect alcohol absorption?
slows absorption and decreases peak [alcohol]
where is EtOH mostly absorbed in GI tract?
small intestine (also absorbed in stomach)
t/f: low pH in stomach alters ethanol
false
is BAC higher in females or males?
females
how does weight correlate with BAC?
larger ppl have lower BAC (vs small size allows passage into brain)
how does leanness correlate with BAC?
leaner ppl have lower BAC (incr water V for body V)
what does BAC stand for?
blood alcohol conc.
what is 100% BAC (ie. 0.08 mg/100mL) in mols (M)?
17 µM
how does sex difference in alcohol distribution affect capabilities?
women require lower BAC to impair driving skills, be legally intoxicated, have criminal penalties and death
what are some acute effects of EtOH consumption?
inhibited judgment, unstable moods, incr emotions, decr t to sleep, impaired memory and coordination, dilated blood vessels
what order of kinetics describes alcohol metabolism? what does that mean for its elimination curve?
0 order kinetics; linear elimination curve
what are the 2 main enzymes for alcohol metabolism?
alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase
what are 2 flaws of the enzymes that metabolize alcohol?
saturate quickly and require NAD+ to operate
how much BAC do enzymes eliminate per hour?
0.015 BAC/hr
what fraction of BAC is exhaled?
~1/2200
what are the 2 phases of acute EtOH effects?
- BAC rises (stimulant)
2. BAC declines (depressant)
what causes biphasic pattern for acute EtOH effects?
metabolism
t/f: fat does not retain alcohol
true, it doesn’t
how does EtOH alter Glu and GABA receptor activity?
decr Glu and incr GABA (hyperpolarization/inhibition)
which receptor does low [EtOH] affect and how?
potentiation of GABA(a) receptors
which receptors/channels does high [EtOH] affect and how?
inhibits Glu-NMDA and voltage gated Ca channels
what is the overall effect of EtOH activating GABA(a) receptors and inhibiting Glu-NMDA and Ca channels?
neuronal inhibition, sedative-like effects
what is asphyxiation?
stop breathing
what causes asphyxiation from lethal alcohol doses?
0.4-5 BAC depresses activity in ANS
which superfamily are GABA(a) receptors in?
cys-loop ligand-gated channel superfamily
GABA(a) receptors are _____ (homo/hetero)____ (di/tri/tetra/penta)meric
heteropentameric (2 a, 2 B, and 1 other subunit)
what do GABA(a) receptors conduct?
Cl- ions into neurons (hyperpol./deactivating)
which superfamily are Glu receptors in?
ionotropic Glu receptor superfamily
Glu receptors are _____ (homo/hetero)____ (di/tri/tetra/penta)meric
heterotetrameric (2 NR1, and 2 NR2 or n NR3 subunits)
what do Glu receptors conduct?
positive ions (Ca, Na) into neurons (depol./activating)
why is alcohol addictive?
releases dopamine in brain
how does EtOH cause DA release in brain? (neuronal loop)
disinhibits DA by inh Glu which decr GABA and incr DA, also activates opiod receptors to inh GABA
what are 3 physiological effects of EtOH?
vasodilation (autonomic brainstem nuclei: warm skin, decr internal temp), ulcers (erodes stomach lining), and the spins
how does EtOH cause the spins?
EtOH permeates endolymph and cupula in semicircular canals, when BAC declines, EtOH diffuses out of cupula before endolymph, cupula denser and doesn’t stabilize, activates sensory fibres which is interpreted as motion
what allows incr ability to drink with incr drinking?
up-regulation of metabolic enzymes
what are the physical, psychological, and immunological symptoms of alcohol withdrawal?
phys: headache, diarrhea, fatigue, restlessness, nausea
psych: haziness, slow cognition, decr rxn times, poor reasoning
immune: incr cytokine via thromboxane pathway (inflammation)
when do symptoms of alcohol withdrawal peak?
when BAC reaches 0
what is congener?
a minor chemical (flavour/colour) constituent that gives a distinctive character to wine/liquor or responsible for physiological effects
what is the effect of congeners?
incr hangover severity
t/f: alcohol has lots of calories but provides little nutritional value
true
how does alcohol cause metabolic changes to energy usage?
causes brain to metabolize acetate instead of glucose for energy
what is fetal alcohol spectrum disease?
altered synaptogenesis and facial development of child due to mother drinking alcohol during 3rd trimester
how does alcohol affect liver long-term?
causes fatty liver and cirrhosis in severe cases
how does alcohol incr brain fissures?
acetaldehyde is reactive (ethanol metabolite) and modifies proteins (myelin) which causes apoptosis
how does alcohol act as a carcinogen?
acetaldehyde interferes w/ DNA synthesis and repair (especially upper GI: 10-100x higher conc.)
how does smoking affect acetaldehyde production?
incr acetaldehyde production
what is the safest drinking level? (daily)
0 drinks daily
how many ppl who drink 1/day/year will experience alcohol-related problems vs abstinent vs 2 drinks?
918 vs 914 (low ARR) vs 977
