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
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.
2. Step 2 : acetaldehyde → acetate
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
3. Step 3 : Hangover Relief
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