CHP 8 Alcohol

Alcoholic hepatitis characteristics

Inflammatory liver condition marked by jaundice

Resveratrol effect on endothelium

A polyphenol found in red wine that can improve vascular function by enhancing endothelial nitric‑oxide production.

Liver priority in ethanol metabolism

Ethanol is given absolute metabolic precedence because it is a toxin and cannot be stored.

Alcohol absorption

Passive diffusion of ethanol across the gastric and intestinal mucosa without the need for digestion.

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)

The percentage of ethanol present in the blood

Cirrhosis mortality statistic

Approximately 50 % of individuals with advanced scarring of the liver die within five years.

Acetaldehyde toxicity

A reactive intermediate that causes flushing

Congeners contribution to hangover severity

Minor substances such as methanol and fusel oils present in darker spirits that exacerbate post‑drinking symptoms.

Fermentation

Microbial conversion of sugars or starches into ethanol and carbon dioxide by yeast.

Wernicke‑Korsakoff syndrome description

Neurocognitive disorder caused by severe thiamine shortage

Body water distribution of ethanol

After absorption

CAGE questionnaire purpose

Screening tool consisting of four questions; an affirmative answer to one or more suggests possible alcohol‑related problems.

Moderate drinking guideline

Limit of up to one serving per day for women and up to two for men.

HDL‑cholesterol increase with moderate intake

Elevates the concentration of high‑density lipoprotein particles

Fatty liver (steatosis) reversible stage

Early accumulation of triglycerides in hepatocytes that can resolve with abstinence from alcohol.

Disulfiram mechanism of action

Inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase

Binge drinking definition

Consumption of four or more drinks for women

Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)

Enzyme that converts acetaldehyde to acetyl‑CoA

Standard drink

A serving that contains 14 g of pure ethanol

Gastric ADH activity

Enzyme present in the stomach that metabolizes a portion of ingested ethanol before it reaches the bloodstream.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome features

Prenatal exposure outcome that includes characteristic facial anomalies

Thiamine deficiency consequence

Leads to beriberi

Alcohol poisoning symptoms

A set of ten clinical signs including confusion

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)

Primary hepatic enzyme that oxidizes ethanol to acetaldehyde

Breathalyzer conversion ratio

Compares ethanol in exhaled air to blood levels using an approximate $2100:1$ ratio.

J‑shaped risk curve

Illustrates lowest overall health risk at about one drink per day

Hangover dehydration mechanism

Ethanol‑induced diuresis leads to loss of body water and electrolytes

LDL‑cholesterol decrease with moderate intake

Reduces the amount of low‑density lipoprotein particles circulating in the blood.

Ethanol energy density

Provides approximately 7 kilocalories per gram

Acetyl‑CoA production from ethanol

The final oxidation product of ethanol that enters the citric‑acid cycle or serves as a substrate for fatty‑acid synthesis.