Alcohol Intolerance Flashcards
Ethanol
- ethyl alcohol or drinking alcohol
- C2H6O
- In nature, yeast ferments fruit sugars, creating CO2 and ethanol
- A toxin and central nervous system depressant
History of human ethanol consumption
- Consuming fermented fruit for 100 000 years +
- 4 million years ago, a gene mutation allowed apes to digest fermented fruit wiithout severe ethanol intoxication
- Prevent from falling off trees and enable to eat important food source
What are foods that people have fermented throughout the world?
Fruit, rice, corn, cassava, cacti, potatoes, etc.
When were the first alcoholic beverages made?
- 9000 years ago in China
- 7000 years ago in Central Asia where nomads fermented horse mare’s milk
How does the development of agriculture relate to alcohol production?
Some believe it was developed on the basis of the cultivation of grain for beer, not bread
Where is alcohol consumption the greatest?
Europe, particularly Eastern
How many deaths are alcohol related?
1 in 25 globally linked
How does alcohol mortality affect men over women?
Men are 5x more likely to die from alcohol-related illness
What has occurred in alcohol mortality and women?
It has increased as women consuming alcohol had increased
What population has the highest proportion of deaths related to alcohol (accidents, illness, suicide, homicide)?
Europe; 1 in 10 deaths
What are the key enzymes in alcohol metabolism?
Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH)
What does Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH) do?
Catalyzes the oxidation of ethanol into acetaldehyde
What does Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH) d0?
Oxidizes acetaldehyde to non-toxic acetate (acetic acid)
What are the three steps in the oxidation of alcohol?
- Ethanol to Acetaldehyde
- Acetaldehyde to Acetate
- Acetate to Carbon Dioxide and Water
How can the body genetically prevent alcohol addiction?
Heavy drinkers having less offspring, genetic polymorphisms in ADH/ALDH, variants of either enzyme
What is asian flush?
ALDH variant that occurs primarily in Eastern Asia
What is the asian flush gene?
ALDH2; reduction in the capacity of acetaldehyde clearance leading to accumulation of it in circulation
How does the ALDH2 gene affect heterozygotes?
They have reduced ALDH2 enzyme activity (deficient)
How does ALDH2 gene affect homozygotes?
Nearly 0% enzyme activity
What are the symptoms of Asian Alcohol Flushing Syndrome?
Facial flushing, tachycardia, nausea, and unpleasant feelings
How does the ALDH2 increase disease risk?
ALDH2 deficient population may be more susceptible to the carcinogenic effect of consuming alcohol; most evidence for esophageal, head and neck cancer
Why do asians with ALDH2 still drink?
- heterozygotes can build tolerance
- In Korea, Japan, and China, it is important for men to socialize and drink heavily
- Economic growth and increasing social openness had increased consumption
