Chapter 4-8. Alcohol Breakdown and Hangovers

Recommended Posting: 【Biology】 Chapter 4. Cells and Energy Metabolism

1. Step 1: Ethanol → Acetaldehyde

2. Step 2: Acetaldehyde → Acetate

3. Step 3: Hangover Relief

1. Step 1: Ethanol → Acetaldehyde

⑴ 1-1. ADH-mediated reaction

① ADH: Alcohol dehydrogenase

② Ethanol is converted to acetaldehyde by ADH in the liver, simultaneously reducing NAD⁺ to NADH.

③ All people have no difficulty performing this reaction.

⑵ 1-2. MEOS-mediated reaction

① MEOS: Microsomal ethanol oxidizing system.

② Ethanol is converted to acetaldehyde by MEOS in the liver, simultaneously converting NADPH to NADP + O₂.

③ When a large amount of alcohol enters the body, the liver secretes protective enzymes for the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system (MEOS).

○ This induces a reaction that increases the number of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) in liver cells, thereby breaking down ethanol more quickly.

○ Practically, it is possible to increase alcohol tolerance.

○ This explanation provides evidence that alcohol tolerance is acquired rather than innate.

⑴ ALDH-mediated reaction

① ALDH: Aldehyde dehydrogenase

② Acetaldehyde is converted to acetate by ALDH in the liver.

③ Some people have mutations in the genes involved in performing this reaction.

○ Such mutations are mainly observed in Asians.

○ Incomplete dominance: If homozygous, this reaction hardly proceeds, but if heterozygous, this reaction proceeds to some extent.

○ Because acetaldehyde is highly toxic, it causes liver damage, including hangovers.

○ If ALDH is low, hangovers are so severe that there is an aversion to alcohol: as a result, there will be fewer cases of alcoholism.

○ This explanation provides evidence that alcohol tolerance is somewhat genetic.

⑴ Hangover relief from bean sprouts: Asparagine, abundantly present in bean sprouts, can chelate acetaldehyde.

Input: 2019.01.14 16:34

Modified: 2021.04.27 17:56