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Progress in Neuro-psychopharmacology &... Feb 2016Several studies have described a dose-dependent effect of alcohol on human health with light to moderate drinkers having a lower risk of all-cause mortality than... (Review)
Review
Several studies have described a dose-dependent effect of alcohol on human health with light to moderate drinkers having a lower risk of all-cause mortality than abstainers, while heavy drinkers are at the highest risk. In the case of the immune system, moderate alcohol consumption is associated with reduced inflammation and improved responses to vaccination, while chronic heavy drinking is associated with a decreased frequency of lymphocytes and increased risk of both bacterial and viral infections. However, the mechanisms by which alcohol exerts a dose-dependent effect on the immune system remain poorly understood due to a lack of systematic studies that examine the effect of multiple doses and different time courses. This review will summarize our current understanding of the impact of moderate versus excessive alcohol consumption on the innate and adaptive branches of the immune system derived from both in vitro as well as in vivo studies carried out in humans and animal model studies.
Topics: Alcohol-Related Disorders; Animals; Central Nervous System Depressants; Ethanol; Humans; Immune System
PubMed: 26375241
DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.09.001 -
Microbial Biotechnology Apr 2023Clostridium spp. are suitable for the bioconversion of C -gases (e.g., CO , CO and syngas) into different bioproducts. These products can be used as biofuels and are... (Review)
Review
Clostridium spp. are suitable for the bioconversion of C -gases (e.g., CO , CO and syngas) into different bioproducts. These products can be used as biofuels and are reviewed here, focusing on ethanol, butanol and hexanol, mainly. The production of higher alcohols (e.g., butanol and hexanol) has hardly been reviewed. Parameters affecting the optimization of the bioconversion process and bioreactor performance are addressed as well as the pathways involved in these bioconversions. New aspects, such as mixotrophy and sugar versus gas fermentation, are also reviewed. In addition, Clostridia can also produce higher alcohols from the integration of the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway and the reverse ß-oxidation pathway, which has also not yet been comprehensively reviewed. In the latter process, the acetogen uses the reducing power of CO/syngas to reduce C or C fatty acids, previously produced by a chain elongating microorganism (commonly Clostridium kluyveri), into the corresponding bioalcohol.
Topics: Gases; Biofuels; Fermentation; Ethanol; Butanols; 1-Butanol; Clostridium; Bacteria; Hexanols
PubMed: 36661185
DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14220 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Ganshu Nuodan is a liver-protecting dietary supplement composed of () spore powder, (Lour.) Merr. (), Bunge () and (Fisch.) Bunge. (). However, its pharmacodynamic...
INTRODUCTION
Ganshu Nuodan is a liver-protecting dietary supplement composed of () spore powder, (Lour.) Merr. (), Bunge () and (Fisch.) Bunge. (). However, its pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of action remain unknown.
METHODS
A mouse model of acute alcohol liver disease (ALD) induced by intragastric administration of 50% alcohol was used to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of Ganshu Nuodan. The chemical constituents of Ganshu Nuodan were comprehensively identified by UPLC-QTOF/MS, and then its pharmacodynamic material basis and potential mechanism of action were explored by proteomics and network pharmacology.
RESULTS
Ganshu Nuodan could ameliorate acute ALD, which is mainly manifested in the significant reduction of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in liver and the remarkably increase of glutathione (GSH) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in liver. Totally 76 chemical constituents were identified from Ganshu Nuodan by UPLC-QTOF/MS, including 21 quinones, 18 flavonoids, 11 organic acids, 7 terpenoids, 5 ketones, 4 sterols, 3 coumarins and 7 others. Three key signaling pathways were identified via proteomics studies, namely Arachidonic acid metabolism, Retinol metabolism, and HIF-1 signaling pathway respectively. Combined with network pharmacology and molecular docking, six key targets were subsequently obtained, including Ephx2, Lta4h, Map2k1, Stat3, Mtor and Dgat1. Finally, these six key targets and their related components were verified by molecular docking, which could explain the material basis of the hepatoprotective effect of Ganshu Nuodan.
CONCLUSION
Ganshu Nuodan can protect acute alcohol-induced liver injury in mice by inhibiting oxidative stress, lipid accumulation and apoptosis. Our study provides a scientific basis for the hepatoprotective effect of Ganshu Nuodan in acute ALD mice and supports its traditional application.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Molecular Docking Simulation; Network Pharmacology; Proteomics; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic; Ethanol; Glutathione
PubMed: 37795374
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1229777 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2022The forensic toxicologist is challenged to provide scientific evidence to distinguish the source of ethanol (antemortem ingestion or microbial production) determined in... (Review)
Review
The forensic toxicologist is challenged to provide scientific evidence to distinguish the source of ethanol (antemortem ingestion or microbial production) determined in the postmortem blood and to properly interpret the relevant blood alcohol concentration (BAC) results, in regard to ethanol levels at death and subsequent behavioral impairment of the person at the time of death. Higher alcohols (1-propanol, 1-butanol, isobutanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol (isoamyl-alcohol), and 3-methyl-2-butanol (amyl-alcohol)) are among the volatile compounds that are often detected in postmortem specimens and have been correlated with putrefaction and microbial activity. This brief review investigates the role of the higher alcohols as biomarkers of postmortem, microbial ethanol production, notably, regarding the modeling of postmortem ethanol production. Main conclusions of this contribution are, firstly, that the higher alcohols are qualitative and quantitative indicators of microbial ethanol production, and, secondly that the respective models of microbial ethanol production are tools offering additional data to interpret properly the origin of the ethanol concentrations measured in postmortem cases. More studies are needed to clarify current uncertainties about the origin of higher alcohols in postmortem specimens.
Topics: Alcohols; Autopsy; Blood Alcohol Content; Butanols; Ethanol; Forensic Toxicology; Humans; Pentanols; Postmortem Changes; Propanols
PubMed: 35163964
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030700 -
British Journal of Anaesthesia Aug 2021
Topics: Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial; Analgesia; Animals; Ethanol; Humans; Pain Management; Wine
PubMed: 34090680
DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2021.05.003 -
Cells May 2023Heavy ethanol consumption during adolescence has been linked to neuroimmune response dysregulation and cognitive deficits in the developing adolescent brain. During... (Review)
Review
Heavy ethanol consumption during adolescence has been linked to neuroimmune response dysregulation and cognitive deficits in the developing adolescent brain. During adolescence, the brain is particularly susceptible to the pharmacological effects of ethanol that are induced by acute and chronic bouts of exposure. Numerous preclinical rodent model studies have used different ethanol administration techniques, such as intragastric gavage, self-administration, vapor, intraperitoneal, and free access, and while most models indicated proinflammatory neuroimmune responses in the adolescent brain, there are various factors that appear to influence this observation. This review synthesizes the most recent findings of the effects of adolescent alcohol use on toll-like receptors, cytokines, and chemokines, as well as the activation of astrocytes and microglia with an emphasis on differences associated with the duration of ethanol exposure (acute vs. chronic), the amount of exposure (e.g., dose or blood ethanol concentrations), sex differences, and the timing of the neuroimmune observation (immediate vs. persistent). Finally, this review discusses new therapeutics and interventions that may ameliorate the dysregulation of neuroimmune maladaptations after ethanol exposure.
Topics: Female; Male; Animals; Ethanol; Brain; Toll-Like Receptors; Cytokines; Microglia
PubMed: 37408257
DOI: 10.3390/cells12101423 -
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology Mar 2016The alcohols, methanol, ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, have many features in common, the most important of which is the fact that the compounds themselves are... (Review)
Review
The alcohols, methanol, ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, have many features in common, the most important of which is the fact that the compounds themselves are relatively non-toxic but are metabolized, initially by alcohol dehydrogenase, to various toxic intermediates. These compounds are readily available worldwide in commercial products as well as in homemade alcoholic beverages, both of which lead to most of the poisoning cases, from either unintentional or intentional ingestion. Although relatively infrequent in overall occurrence, poisonings by metabolically-toxic alcohols do unfortunately occur in outbreaks and can result in severe morbidity and mortality. These poisonings have traditionally been treated with ethanol since it competes for the active site of alcohol dehydrogenase and decreases the formation of toxic metabolites. Although ethanol can be effective in these poisonings, there are substantial practical problems with its use and so fomepizole, a potent competitive inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, was developed for a hopefully better treatment for metabolically-toxic alcohol poisonings. Fomepizole has few side effects and is easy to use in practice and it may obviate the need for haemodialysis in some, but not all, patients. Hence, fomepizole has largely replaced ethanol as the toxic alcohol antidote in many countries. Nevertheless, ethanol remains an important alternative because access to fomepizole can be limited, the cost may appear excessive, or the physician may prefer ethanol due to experience.
Topics: Acidosis; Antidotes; Ethanol; Ethylene Glycol; Ethylene Glycols; Fomepizole; Humans; Methanol; Pyrazoles
PubMed: 26551875
DOI: 10.1111/bcp.12824 -
Health & Social Care in the Community Nov 2022Risky alcohol consumption among college students is a significant public health issue. In the college setting, students can collaborate in the implementation of peer-led... (Review)
Review
Risky alcohol consumption among college students is a significant public health issue. In the college setting, students can collaborate in the implementation of peer-led interventions. To date, evidence of peer-led programmes in reducing harmful alcohol consumption in this population is inconclusive. The aim of the current scoping review is to provide a broad overview by systematically examining and mapping the literature on peer-led interventions for preventing risky alcohol consumption by college students. The specific aims were to (1) identify the underlying focus of the interventions and assess their (2) effectiveness and (3) feasibility. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, DART-Europe, RCAAP, Trove and ProQuest. The inclusion criteria were peer-led interventions that exclusively addressed alcohol consumption, college students as the target population and interventional studies (randomised controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of interventions). The methodological quality of the articles was evaluated. From 6654 potential studies, 13 were included. Nine interventions were described within these studies: Voice of Reason programme, Brief Advice sessions, Peer Theatre, Alcohol Education programme, Perceptions of Alcohol Norms intervention, Motivational Intervention, Alcohol Skills Training programme, Lifestyle Management Class and the Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students. Only the last showed significant reductions in three of the four outcome measures: quantity and frequency of drinking, estimated peak blood alcohol concentration and alcohol-related consequences. It did not significantly decrease the number of heavy-drinking episodes. Peer interventions may be effective in preventing alcohol use among college students, although the evidence is weak and scarce. Further research is needed to strengthen the findings about peer-led interventions.
Topics: Humans; Alcohol Drinking; Blood Alcohol Content; Students; Universities; Alcoholism; Ethanol
PubMed: 36057959
DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13990 -
Journal of Analytical Toxicology Feb 2023Drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) is a crime where the victim is unable to provide sexual consent due to incapacitation resulting from alcohol or drug consumption.... (Review)
Review
Drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) is a crime where the victim is unable to provide sexual consent due to incapacitation resulting from alcohol or drug consumption. Due to the large number of substances possibly used in DFSA, including illicit, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, DFSA faces many toxicological challenges. Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are ideal candidates for DFSA, as they are active at low doses, have a fast onset of action and can be easily administered orally. The last decade has seen the emergence of designer benzodiazepines (DBZDs), which show slight modifications compared with BZDs and similar pharmacological effects but are not controlled under the international drug control system. DBZDs represent an additional challenge due to the number of new entities regularly appearing in the market, their possibly higher potency and the limited knowledge available on their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics properties. Many BZDs and DBZDs have a short half-life, leading to rapid metabolism and excretion. The low concentrations and short time windows for the detection of BZD in body fluids require the use of highly sensitive analysis methods to enable the detection of drugs and their respective metabolites. This review discusses the current state of the toxicological analysis of BZDs and DBZDs in forensic casework and their pharmacokinetic properties (i.e., absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination), as well as their analysis in biosamples typically encountered in DFSA (i.e., blood, urine and hair).
Topics: Ethanol; Benzodiazepines; Sex Offenses; Crime; Half-Life
PubMed: 35294022
DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkac017 -
Journal of Applied Physiology... Aug 2016The alcohol breath test is reviewed with a focus on gas exchange factors affecting its accuracy. The basis of the alcohol breath test is the assumption that alveolar air... (Review)
Review
The alcohol breath test is reviewed with a focus on gas exchange factors affecting its accuracy. The basis of the alcohol breath test is the assumption that alveolar air reaches the mouth during exhalation with no change in alcohol concentration. Recent investigations have shown that alcohol concentration is altered during its transit to the mouth. The exhaled alcohol concentration is modified by interaction with the mucosa of the pulmonary airways. Exhaled alcohol concentration is not an accurate indicator of alveolar alcohol concentration. Measuring alcohol concentration in the breath is very different process than measuring a blood level from air equilibrated with a blood sample. Airway exchange of alcohol leads to a bias against certain individuals depending on the anatomic and physiologic characteristics. Methodological modifications are proposed to improve the accuracy of the alcohol breath test to become fair to all.
Topics: Breath Tests; Computer Simulation; Ethanol; Exhalation; Female; Humans; Lung; Male; Models, Biological; Pulmonary Gas Exchange; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 27197859
DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00548.2015