1. ethanol metabolism

ethanol metabolism

the process by which the body break down ethanol or alcohol into other compounds that are easier to process

the liver is th eprimary site of ethanol metabolism

but the sotmach also plays a role

the main way ethanol is metabolised in the body onvolvles theee distinct steps

1. alcohol dehydrogenase

2. aldehyde dehydrogenase

3. carbon dioxide + water

1. alcholol dehydrogenase ADH

ADH metabolises ethanold into acetaldehyde and toxic compounds that can damage tissue and potentially contribute to addiction

2. aldehyde dehydrogenase ALDH

ALDH breaks down acetaldehyde into acetate, a less toxic compound

3. carbon dioxide and water

acetate is broken down into carbon dioxide and water mainlin in tissue outside of the lvier

at high levels of ethanol cocnsumption

cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) becomes invovled in metabolising ethanol to acetaldehyde

small amounts of alcohol are removed by interacting with fatty acids

to form fatty acid ethly esters FAEEs

FAEEs contribute to damage

to the liver and pancrease

the rate at which ethanol is metabolised

depends on the activity levels of the enzyems invovled

different variants od ADH and ALDH have different levels of activity

which can affect how a erson repsonds to ethanol and ther risk of alcohol dependence

the body also uses hydrogen atoms released during these reactions

to create reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide NADH

NADH + acetate → fatty acids

fatty acids → fatty liver disease if consumed in large amounts over time

majority of ethanol metabolised in the body

a small percentage of ethanol is eliminated through the lungs skin and kidneys