Contents

1. Alcohol
2. Liver Damage
3. Disulfiram
4. Quiz
5. Feedback

Abstract

• Alcohol is a molecule with a very high energy content that is metabolised by enzymes in the liver.
• The limiting factor in alcohol metabolism is aldehyde dehydrogenase.
• The consumption of excess alcohol can lead to a build-up of acetaldehyde causing a hangover in the short term and liver damage in the long term.
• The build up of acetaldehyde can be exploited when trying to treat alcoholism as the drug disulfiram inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase to induce hangover symptoms by causing this build-up to occur. 

Core

Alcohol

Alcohol has higher energy content than carbohydrates, and so excess alcohol consumption can lead to excess fat in the body as the alcohol is not fully used for energy and is converted into fat.

Alcohol is measured in units instead of grams, and 1 unit (25ml in the UK) contains 8g of alcohol. The weekly limit in the UK for both genders is 14 units.

Over 90% of alcohol consumed is oxidised in the liver according to this equation:

Diagram - The process of alcohol metabolism

SimpleMed original by Maddie Swannack

The limiting factor in the equation is aldehyde dehydrogenase. This means when excess alcohol is consumed, it is all converted into acetaldehyde. However, not all can be converted into acetate at the same rate, meaning that acetaldehyde builds up. This is bad because acetaldehyde is toxic, leading to the effects of a hangover once the alcohol has been metabolised. Long term exposure to acetaldehyde causes hepatitis and then cirrhosis, leading to liver damage.

Liver damage can also occur if there is inadequate NAD⁺, as when acetate builds up it can cause lactic acidosis, gout, hypoglycaemia and cirrhosis. This relates to glutathione and oxidative stress.

Disulfiram is an inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase and is used to treat alcoholism. Drinking alcohol when taking disulfiram causes an extreme build-up of acetaldehyde, causing severe hangover-type symptoms. This discourages the consumption of alcohol by the individual by classical conditioning so it can be used to help treat alcohol dependence.

Edited by: Dr. Ben Appleby

Reviewed by: Dr. Thomas Burnell

Quiz

error messagebox

Press/ tap the Start button to begin this Quiz!

You have unlimited time and will get the results and answers once you've done every question.

You can keep track of all of your Quizzes and results on your profile.

You can view all Quizzes, for all topics here.

Good luck!

 Flag Question

Feedback

Your Feedback Matters to Us!

We created SimpleMed because we think medical learning should be high quality and free to all. Your feedback allows us to improve our articles, but also gives our individual authors feedback on their style and helps them become better educational professionals.

Article Name

Rating *

Submit Feedback

Name