Contents

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

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 in the UK contains 8 g (10 ml) of pure 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 Dr. Maddie Swannack

Alcohol dehydrogenase is usually the rate-limiting step in ethanol metabolism. When alcohol intake is high, acetaldehyde can accumulate because its conversion to acetate cannot keep pace.

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

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