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Biomedical Papers of the Medical... Mar 2016Alcohol variants such as ethanol and methanol are simple organic compounds widely used in foods, pharmaceuticals, chemical synthesis, etc. Both are becoming an emerging... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Alcohol variants such as ethanol and methanol are simple organic compounds widely used in foods, pharmaceuticals, chemical synthesis, etc. Both are becoming an emerging health problem; abuse of ethanol containing beverages can lead to disparate health problems and methanol is highly toxic and unfit for consumption.
METHODS AND RESULTS
This review summarizes the basic knowledge about ethanol and methanol toxicity, the effect mechanism on the body, the current care of poisoned individuals and the implication of alcohols in the development of diseases. Alcohol related dementia, stroke, metabolic syndrome and hepatitis are discussed as well. Besides ethanol, methanol toxicity and its biodegradation pathways are addressed.
CONCLUSIONS
The impact of ethanol and methanol on the body is shown as case reports, along with a discussion on the possible implication of alcohol in Alzheimer's disease and antidotal therapy for methanol poisoning. The role of ethanol in cancer and degenerative disorders seems to be underestimated given the current knowledge. Treatment in case of poisoning is another issue that remains unresolved even though effective protocols and drugs exist.
Topics: Alcohol Dehydrogenase; Alcoholic Beverages; Alcoholism; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase; Antidotes; Ethanol; Humans; Methanol; Receptors, Cell Surface
PubMed: 26006090
DOI: 10.5507/bp.2015.023 -
Current Opinion in Biotechnology Apr 2020Methanol and formate are attractive microbial feedstocks as they can be sustainably produced from CO and renewable energy, are completely miscible, and are easy to store... (Review)
Review
Methanol and formate are attractive microbial feedstocks as they can be sustainably produced from CO and renewable energy, are completely miscible, and are easy to store and transport. Here, we provide a biochemical perspective on microbial growth and bioproduction using these compounds. We show that anaerobic growth of acetogens on methanol and formate is more efficient than on H/CO or CO. We analyze the aerobic C assimilation pathways and suggest that new-to-nature routes could outperform their natural counterparts. We further discuss practical bioprocessing aspects related to growth on methanol and formate, including feedstock toxicity. While challenges in realizing sustainable production from methanol and formate still exist, the utilization of these feedstocks paves the way towards a truly circular carbon economy.
Topics: Formates; Methanol
PubMed: 31733545
DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2019.10.002 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Jan 1997
Topics: Alcoholic Intoxication; Ethanol; Humans; Methanol
PubMed: 9001463
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.314.7073.2 -
International Journal of Molecular... Oct 2021Functions of selenium are diverse as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, increased immunity, reduced cancer incidence, blocking tumor invasion and metastasis, and further... (Review)
Review
Functions of selenium are diverse as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, increased immunity, reduced cancer incidence, blocking tumor invasion and metastasis, and further clinical application as treatment with radiation and chemotherapy. These functions of selenium are mostly related to oxidation and reduction mechanisms of selenium metabolites. Hydrogen selenide from selenite, and methylselenol (MSeH) from Se-methylselenocyteine (MSeC) and methylseleninicacid (MSeA) are the most reactive metabolites produced reactive oxygen species (ROS); furthermore, these metabolites may involve in oxidizing sulfhydryl groups, including glutathione. Selenite also reacted with glutathione and produces hydrogen selenide via selenodiglutathione (SeDG), which induces cytotoxicity as cell apoptosis, ROS production, DNA damage, and adenosine-methionine methylation in the cellular nucleus. However, a more pronounced effect was shown in the subsequent treatment of sodium selenite with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. High doses of sodium selenite were effective to increase radiation therapy and chemotherapy, and further to reduce radiation side effects and drug resistance. In our study, advanced cancer patients can tolerate until 5000 μg of sodium selenite in combination with radiation and chemotherapy since the half-life of sodium selenite may be relatively short, and, further, selenium may accumulates more in cancer cells than that of normal cells, which may be toxic to the cancer cells. Further clinical studies of high amount sodium selenite are required to treat advanced cancer patients.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Glutathione; Humans; Methanol; Neoplasms; Organoselenium Compounds; Selenium Compounds; Sodium Selenite
PubMed: 34769276
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111844 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Aug 2022Dimethyl carbonate is a generally used chemical substance which is environmentally sustainable in nature and used in a range of industrial applications as intermediate.... (Review)
Review
Dimethyl carbonate is a generally used chemical substance which is environmentally sustainable in nature and used in a range of industrial applications as intermediate. Although various methods, including methanol phosgenation, transesterification and oxidative carbonylation of methanol, have been developed for large-scale industrial production of DMC, they are expensive, unsafe and use noxious raw materials. Green production of DMC from CO and methanol is the most appropriate and eco-friendly method. Numerous catalysts were studied and tested in this regard. The issues of low yield and difficulty in tests have not been resolved fundamentally, which is caused by the inherent problems of the synthetic pathway and limitations imposed by thermodynamics. Electron-assisted activation of CO and membrane reactors which can separate products in real-time giving a maximum yield of DMC are also being used in the quest to find more effective production method. In this review paper, we deeply addressed green production methods of DMC using Zr/Ce/Cu-based nanocomposites as catalysts. Moreover, the relationship between the structure and activity of catalysts, catalytic mechanisms, molecular activation and active sites identification of catalysts are also discussed.
Topics: Carbon Dioxide; Formates; Methanol; Oxides
PubMed: 36080185
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27175417 -
Communications Biology May 2020Synthetic methylotrophy has recently been intensively studied to achieve methanol-based biomanufacturing of fuels and chemicals. However, attempts to engineer platform...
Synthetic methylotrophy has recently been intensively studied to achieve methanol-based biomanufacturing of fuels and chemicals. However, attempts to engineer platform microorganisms to utilize methanol mainly focus on enzyme and pathway engineering. Herein, we enhanced methanol bioconversion of synthetic methylotrophs by improving cellular tolerance to methanol. A previously engineered methanol-dependent Corynebacterium glutamicum is subjected to adaptive laboratory evolution with elevated methanol content. Unexpectedly, the evolved strain not only tolerates higher concentrations of methanol but also shows improved growth and methanol utilization. Transcriptome analysis suggests increased methanol concentrations rebalance methylotrophic metabolism by down-regulating glycolysis and up-regulating amino acid biosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, ribosome biosynthesis, and parts of TCA cycle. Mutations in the O-acetyl-L-homoserine sulfhydrylase Cgl0653 catalyzing formation of L-methionine analog from methanol and methanol-induced membrane-bound transporter Cgl0833 are proven crucial for methanol tolerance. This study demonstrates the importance of tolerance engineering in developing superior synthetic methylotrophs.
Topics: Corynebacterium glutamicum; Evolution, Molecular; Industrial Microbiology; Laboratories; Metabolic Engineering; Methanol
PubMed: 32382107
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0954-9 -
Acta Biochimica Et Biophysica Sinica Apr 2022Hyperglycemia in diabetic patients is associated with abnormally-elevated cellular glucose levels. It is hypothesized that increased cellular glucose will lead to...
Hyperglycemia in diabetic patients is associated with abnormally-elevated cellular glucose levels. It is hypothesized that increased cellular glucose will lead to increased formation of endogenous methanol and/or formaldehyde, both of which are then metabolically converted to formic acid. These one-carbon metabolites are known to be present naturally in humans, and their levels are increased under diabetic conditions. Mechanistically, while formaldehyde is a cross-linking agent capable of causing extensive cytotoxicity, formic acid is an inhibitor of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase, capable of inducing histotoxic hypoxia, ATP deficiency and cytotoxicity. Chronic increase in the production and accumulation of these toxic one-carbon metabolites in diabetic patients can drive the pathogenesis of ocular as well as other diabetic complications. This hypothesis is supported by a large body of experimental and clinical observations scattered in the literature. For instance, methanol is known to have organ- and species-selective toxicities, including the characteristic ocular lesions commonly seen in humans and non-human primates, but not in rodents. Similarly, some of the diabetic complications (such as ocular lesions) also have a characteristic species-selective pattern, closely resembling methanol intoxication. Moreover, while alcohol consumption or combined use of folic acid plus vitamin B is beneficial for mitigating acute methanol toxicity in humans, their use also improves the outcomes of diabetic complications. In addition, there is also a large body of evidence from biochemical and cellular studies. Together, there is considerable experimental support for the proposed hypothesis that increased metabolic formation of toxic one-carbon metabolites in diabetic patients contributes importantly to the development of various clinical complications.
Topics: Animals; Carbon; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetic Retinopathy; Formaldehyde; Formates; Glucose; Humans; Methanol
PubMed: 35607958
DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2022012 -
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in... Nov 2022Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a crucial C building block for daily-life commodities in a wide range of industrial processes. Industrial production of HCHO today is based on... (Review)
Review
Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a crucial C building block for daily-life commodities in a wide range of industrial processes. Industrial production of HCHO today is based on energy- and cost-intensive gas-phase catalytic oxidation of methanol, which calls for exploring other and more sustainable ways of carrying out this process. Utilization of carbon dioxide (CO ) as precursor presents a promising strategy to simultaneously mitigate the carbon footprint and alleviate environmental issues. This Minireview summarizes recent progress in CO -to-HCHO conversion using hydrogenation, hydroboration/hydrosilylation as well as photochemical, electrochemical, photoelectrochemical, and enzymatic approaches. The active species, reaction intermediates, and mechanistic pathways are discussed to deepen the understanding of HCHO selectivity issues. Finally, shortcomings and prospects of the various strategies for sustainable reduction of CO to HCHO are discussed.
Topics: Carbon Dioxide; Catalysis; Formaldehyde; Methanol; Oxidation-Reduction
PubMed: 36066469
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202204008 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jul 2018Alcohol-based hand rub (hand sanitizer) is heavily used in the community and the healthcare setting to maintain hand hygiene. Methanol must never be used in such a... (Review)
Review
Alcohol-based hand rub (hand sanitizer) is heavily used in the community and the healthcare setting to maintain hand hygiene. Methanol must never be used in such a product because oral, pulmonary and/or skin exposures can result in severe systemic toxicity and even deaths. However, sporadic cases of acute poisoning indicate that alcohol-based hand rub with undeclared methanol may be found in the market from time to time. The unexpected presence of methanol poses a serious threat to public health. Unintentional ingestion by young children and inadvertent consumption by older subjects as alcohol (ethanol) substitute can occur. Methanol is more lethal and poisoning often requires antidotal therapy, in addition to supporting therapy and critical care. However, specific therapy may be delayed because the exposure to methanol is initially not suspected. When repeatedly used as a hand rub, skin absorption resulting in chronic toxicity (e.g., visual disturbances) occurs, particularly if methanol induced desquamation and dermatitis are present. Nationwide surveillance systems, regional/international toxicovigilance networks and situational awareness among the healthcare professionals should facilitate the early detection, management and prevention of such poisoning incidents of public health significance.
Topics: Hand Sanitizers; Health Personnel; Humans; Methanol; Skin Absorption
PubMed: 29987197
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15071440 -
Bioscience, Biotechnology, and... Apr 2009Methanol is a promising feedstock for biotechnological and chemical processes as well as a primary source of energy to replace coal and petroleum. Methylotrophic yeasts,... (Review)
Review
Methanol is a promising feedstock for biotechnological and chemical processes as well as a primary source of energy to replace coal and petroleum. Methylotrophic yeasts, that can utilize methanol as the sole source of carbon and energy, have been studied intensively in terms of both physiological activities and potential applications. During growth on methanol, the enzymes involved in methanol metabolism are massively produced in these yeasts, indicating that the gene promoters of these enzymes are strong methanol-inducible promoters. Using these promoters, high-level heterologous gene expression systems have been developed in several methylotrophic yeast strains, such as Pichia pastoris, Hansenula polymorpha, and Candida boidinii. To achieve efficient industrial use of methanol and efficient protein production by methylotrophic yeasts, it is important to elucidate the molecular basis of methanol-inducible gene expression in these yeasts. This review describes recent advances in understanding of the regulation of methanol-inducible gene expression and the molecular mechanism of transcriptional activation in the methylotrophic yeast C. boidinii. Application of this gained knowledge led to successful production of useful enzymes in this yeast, which is also reviewed.
Topics: Candida; Enzymes; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; Genes, Fungal; Methanol
PubMed: 19352035
DOI: 10.1271/bbb.80825