-
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 -
Postgraduate Medical Journal Nov 1953
Topics: Ethanol; Humans
PubMed: 13111932
DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.29.337.535 -
Alcohol Research : Current Reviews 2013Alcohol consumption alters factors that modify gene expression without changing the DNA code (i.e., epigenetic modulators) in many organ systems, including the immune... (Review)
Review
Alcohol consumption alters factors that modify gene expression without changing the DNA code (i.e., epigenetic modulators) in many organ systems, including the immune system. Alcohol enhances the risk for developing several serious medical conditions related to immune system dysfunction, including acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), liver cancer, and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Binge and chronic drinking also render patients more susceptible to many infectious pathogens and advance the progression of HIV infection by weakening both innate and adaptive immunity. Epigenetic mechanisms play a pivotal role in these processes. For example, alcohol-induced epigenetic variations alter the developmental pathways of several types of immune cells (e.g., granulocytes, macrophages, and T-lymphocytes) and through these and other mechanisms promote exaggerated inflammatory responses. In addition, epigenetic mechanisms may underlie alcohol's ability to interfere with the barrier functions of the gut and respiratory systems, which also contribute to the heightened risk of infections. Better understanding of alcohol's effects on these epigenetic processes may help researchers identify new targets for the development of novel medications to prevent or ameliorate alcohol's detrimental effects on the immune system.
Topics: Adaptive Immunity; Central Nervous System Depressants; Epigenesis, Genetic; Ethanol; Humans; Immune System; Immunity, Innate
PubMed: 24313169
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Clinical Pathology Apr 1983There is good though not conclusive evidence that a small to modest average daily intake of alcohol--that is, 20-30 g/day is associated with increased longevity due... (Review)
Review
There is good though not conclusive evidence that a small to modest average daily intake of alcohol--that is, 20-30 g/day is associated with increased longevity due mainly to a reduction in death from cardiovascular disease. Larger average daily alcohol intakes--especially those in excess of 60 g/day for men and 40 g/day for women--are associated with gradually increasing morbidity and mortality rates from a variety of diseases. Alcohol may be unrecognised as the cause of somatic disease, which can occur without overt psychosocial evidence of alcohol abuse, unless the index of suspicion is high and a thorough drink history obtained. Laboratory tests for the detection and/or confirmation of alcohol abuse are useful but subject to serious limitations being neither as sensitive nor specific as sometimes believed. The value of random blood and/or breath alcohol measurements, in outpatients, as an aid to diagnosis of alcohol-induced organic disease is probably not sufficiently appreciated and, though relatively insensitive, is highly specific.
Topics: Acetaldehyde; Adult; Alcohol Drinking; Alcoholism; Child; Cushing Syndrome; Endocrine Glands; Enzymes; Erythrocyte Indices; Ethanol; Female; Humans; Insulin; Lipids; Male; Pregnancy
PubMed: 6339563
DOI: 10.1136/jcp.36.4.365 -
Current Hypertension Reviews 2020Oxidative stress is implicated in the etiology of many ethanol-induced pathologies. Oxidative stress has been shown to contribute to the development of endothelial... (Review)
Review
Oxidative stress is implicated in the etiology of many ethanol-induced pathologies. Oxidative stress has been shown to contribute to the development of endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension. This review details mechanisms of vascular function, the role of oxidative stress in vascular biology and how ethanol consumption may alter endothelial and smooth muscle cell function as well as microvascular function. Also reviewed are data from human investigations that have examined the association between alcohol consumption and changes in blood pressure and increased risk for hypertension.
Topics: Blood Pressure; Endothelium, Vascular; Ethanol; Humans; Hypertension; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 30914030
DOI: 10.2174/1573402115666190325124622 -
Alcohol Health and Research World 1998The male reproductive system consists of the hypothalamus, the anterior pituitary gland, and the testes. Alcohol can interfere with the function of each of these... (Review)
Review
The male reproductive system consists of the hypothalamus, the anterior pituitary gland, and the testes. Alcohol can interfere with the function of each of these components, thereby causing impotence, infertility, and reduced male secondary sexual characteristics. In the testes, alcohol can adversely affect the Leydig cells, which produce and secrete the hormone testosterone. Studies found that heavy alcohol consumption results in reduced testosterone levels in the blood. Alcohol also impairs the function of the testicular Sertoli cells that play an important role in sperm maturation. In the pituitary gland, alcohol can decrease the production, release, and/or activity of two hormones with critical reproductive functions, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Finally, alcohol can interfere with hormone production in the hypothalamus.
Topics: Alcohol Drinking; Animals; Ethanol; Fertility; Humans; Infertility, Male; Male
PubMed: 15706796
DOI: No ID Found -
Microbial Cell Factories Mar 2021The accelerating energy demands of the increasing global population and industrialization has become a matter of great concern all over the globe. In the present... (Review)
Review
The accelerating energy demands of the increasing global population and industrialization has become a matter of great concern all over the globe. In the present scenario, the world is witnessing a considerably huge energy crisis owing to the limited availability of conventional energy resources and rapid depletion of non-renewable fossil fuels. Therefore, there is a dire need to explore the alternative renewable fuels that can fulfil the energy requirements of the growing population and overcome the intimidating environmental issues like greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, air pollution etc. The use of microorganisms such as bacteria has captured significant interest in the recent era for the conversion of the chemical energy reserved in organic compounds into electrical energy. The versatility of the microorganisms to generate renewable energy fuels from multifarious biological and biomass substrates can abate these ominous concerns to a great extent. For instance, most of the microorganisms can easily transform the carbohydrates into alcohol. Establishing the microbial fuel technology as an alternative source for the generation of renewable energy sources can be a state of art technology owing to its reliability, high efficiency, cleanliness and production of minimally toxic or inclusively non-toxic byproducts. This review paper aims to highlight the key points and techniques used for the employment of bacteria to generate, biofuels and bioenergy, and their foremost benefits.
Topics: Biofuels; Biotechnology; Carbohydrates; Ethanol
PubMed: 33653344
DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01547-w -
Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental... Oct 2021Alcohol-associated liver disease (AALD) encompasses a spectrum of liver diseases that includes simple steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. The adverse... (Review)
Review
Alcohol-associated liver disease (AALD) encompasses a spectrum of liver diseases that includes simple steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. The adverse effects of alcohol in liver and the mechanisms by which ethanol (EtOH) promotes liver injury are well studied. Although liver is known to be the primary organ affected by EtOH exposure, alcohol's effects on other organs are also known to contribute significantly to the development of liver injury. It is becoming increasingly evident that adipose tissue (AT) is an important site of EtOH action. Both AT storage and secretory functions are altered by EtOH. For example, AT lipolysis, stimulated by EtOH, contributes to chronic alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis. Adipocytes secrete a wide variety of biologically active molecules known as adipokines. EtOH alters the secretion of these adipokines from AT, which include cytokines and chemokines that exert paracrine effects in liver. In addition, the level of EtOH-metabolizing enzymes, in particular, CYP2E1, rises in the AT of EtOH-fed mice, which promotes oxidative stress and/or inflammation in AT. Thus, AT dysfunction characterized by increased AT lipolysis and free fatty acid mobilization and altered secretion of adipokines can contribute to the severity of AALD. Of note, moderate EtOH exposure results in AT browning and activation of brown adipose tissue which, in turn, can promote thermogenesis. In this review article, we discuss the direct effects of EtOH consumption in AT and the mechanisms by which EtOH impacts the functions of AT, which, in turn, increases the severity of AALD in animal models and humans.
Topics: Adipocytes; Adipose Tissue; Animals; Central Nervous System Depressants; Ethanol; Humans; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic; Oxidative Stress; Thermogenesis
PubMed: 34558087
DOI: 10.1111/acer.14698 -
Nutrients Apr 2021Benefits and harms of different components of human diet have been known for hundreds of years. Alcohol is one the highest consumed, abused, and addictive substances... (Review)
Review
Benefits and harms of different components of human diet have been known for hundreds of years. Alcohol is one the highest consumed, abused, and addictive substances worldwide. Consequences of alcohol abuse are increased risks for diseases of the cardiovascular system, liver, and nervous system, as well as reduced immune system function. Paradoxically, alcohol has also been a consistent protective factor against the development of autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we focused on summarizing current findings on the effects of alcohol, as well as of its metabolites, acetaldehyde and acetate, on the immune system and RA. Heavy or moderate alcohol consumption can affect intestinal barrier integrity, as well as the microbiome, possibly contributing to RA. Additionally, systemic increase in acetate negatively affects humoral immune response, diminishing T cell as well as professional antigen-presenting cell (APC) function. Hence, alcohol consumption has profound effects on the efficacy of vaccinations, but also elicits protection against autoimmune diseases. The mechanism of alcohol's negative effects on the immune system is multivariate. Future studies addressing alcohol and its metabolite acetate's effect on individual components of the immune system remains crucial for our understanding and development of novel therapeutic pathways.
Topics: Acetaldehyde; Acetates; Alcohol Drinking; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Ethanol; Humans; Immune System; Protective Agents
PubMed: 33923766
DOI: 10.3390/nu13041324 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2023(1) Background: Microbial conversion of gaseous molecules, such as CO, CO and H to valuable compounds, has come to the forefront since the beginning of the 21st century...
(1) Background: Microbial conversion of gaseous molecules, such as CO, CO and H to valuable compounds, has come to the forefront since the beginning of the 21st century due to increasing environmental concerns and the necessity to develop alternative technologies that contribute to a fast transition to a more sustainable era. Research efforts so far have focused on C1-C2 molecules, i.e., ethanol and methane, while interest in molecules with higher carbon atoms has also started to emerge. Research efforts have already started to pay off, and industrial installments on ethanol production from steel-mill off-gases as well as methane production from the CO generated in biogas plants are a reality. (2) Methodology: The present study addresses C4-C6 acids and butanol as target molecules and responds to how the inherent metabolic potential of mixed microbial consortia could be revealed and exploited based on the application of different enrichment methods (3) Results and Conclusions: In most of the enrichment series, the yield of C4-C6 acids was enhanced with supplementation of acetic acid and ethanol together with the gas substrates, resulting in a maximum of 43 and 68% (e-mol basis) for butyric and caproic acid, respectively. Butanol formation was also enhanced, to a lesser degree though and up to 9% (e-mol basis). Furthermore, the microbial community exhibited significant shifts depending on the enrichment conditions applied, implying that a more profound microbial analysis on the species level taxonomy combined with the development of minimal co-cultures could set the basis for discovering new microbial co-cultures and/or co-culturing schemes.
Topics: Carbon Dioxide; Bioreactors; Ethanol; Gases; Butanols; Methane
PubMed: 36985533
DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062562