Alcohol Metabolism

Question 1

Alcohol metabolism is zero order kinetics, what does this mean?

Answer 1

This means that no matter how much alcohol is in your system, it will be processed out at a constant rate of 7g per hour.

Question 2

Name the two enzymes involved in alcohol metabolism.

Answer 2

Alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Question 3

What is Acetaldehyde?

Answer 3

This is an intermediate in alcohol metabolism which is produce when alcohol interacts with alcohol dehydrogenase. This is the toxic component and accumulation we feel as a hangover.

Question 4

What is the problem with prolonged or excessive alcohol consumption?

Answer 4

It can lead to liver damage.

Question 5

Explain the link between alcohol and fatty liver.

Answer 5

When alcohol is metabolised, it leads to an increase in acetyl~coA. This can lead to an increased synthesis of TAG and therefore fatty liver.

Question 6

Alcohol oxidation can lead to a decreased NAD/NADH ratio. What two common problems can this cause?

Answer 6

Lactic acidosis and hypoglycaemia.

Question 7

What is disulfriam?

Answer 7

It is a drug used to treat alcohol dependence. It inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase and so causes a build up of the toxic intermediate causing a bad hangover.

Question 8

Where in the body is alcohol metabolised?

Answer 8

In the liver