Alcohol, Lifestyle and You Flashcards
Describe the main pathway for the breakdown of alcohol.
Alcohol —-> acetaldehyde —> CO2 + H2O
1st enzyme = alcohol dehydrogenase
2nd enzyme = aldehyde dehydrogenase
What extra pathway is there for the conversion of ethanol to acetaldehyde?
CYP2E1 = cytochrome P450
Catalase
How does this pathway change with regular drinking?
People who drink a lot make more cytochrome P450 so they remove alcohol quicker
How does alcohol cause damage to the liver?
Alcohol forms free radicals such as reactive oxygen species. These free radicals are involved in the inflammatory pathway and cause inflammation of the liver (alcoholic hepatitis) leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Why do some people get drunk quicker than others?
Lightweights have slow metabolising alcohol dehydrogenase so alcohol stays in their system for longer.
What are the three components of ‘alcoholism’?
Alcoholic liver disease
Alcohol addiction
Alcohol misuse
What is binge drinking?
Consuming more than 1/3 of the weekly allowance in 1 day
What is alcohol dependence?
If you feel jittery after being away from alcohol for a little while.
What plays a bigger role in alcohol addiction: genes or environment?
GENES
What are the consequences of fatty liver?
Fat is an irritant so it leads to inflammation, fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Which cells in the liver are responsible for the fibrosis?
Hepatic stellate cells
What does cirrhosis lead to?
Liver cancer and various other symptoms such as ascites, varices and encephalopathy
What pancreatic issue can alcohol cause?
Chronic pancreatitis
What is foetal alcohol syndrome associated with?
CNS dysfunction and pre or post-natal growth deficiency
What is the cost of alcohol-related illness to the NHS?
£3 billion per year
