Ethanol Metabolism

Question 1

What drug inhibits alcohol/ethanol dehdrogenase?

Answer 1

Fomepizole

Question 2

What drug inhibits acetaldehyde dehydrogenase?

Answer 2

Disulfiram

Question 3

What substance is responsible for the majority of ‘hangover’ symptoms?

Answer 3

Acetaldehyde

Question 4

What is responsible for the majority of metabolic disorders with alcohol use?

Answer 4

An increase in the NADH to NAD+ ratio

Question 5

What does an increase in NADH to NAD+ ratio cause?

Answer 5

• Decreased gluconeogenesis (fasting hypoglycemia)
• Decreased TCA cycle (ketosis - acetyl CoA use)
• Lactic acidosis (pyruvate converted to lactate to use NADH)

Question 6

What drug causes the patient to have severe hangover-like symptoms?

Answer 6

Disulfrim (due to build-up of acetaldehyde)

Question 7

What is fomepizole used to treat clinically?

Answer 7

Methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning