Alcohol Overdose
Liver disease
Ingestion
Ethanol is metabolised by oxidation by alcohol dehydrogenase
rate limited
alcohol dehydrogenase converts ethanol to acetaldehyde (and the reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to NADH) aldehyde dehydrogenase converts acetaldehyde to acetate.
immature dehydrogenase activity in children <5yo leads to rapid increases in blood levels and intoxication
Effect
CNS depression
Impaired gluconeogenesis (due to altered NAD+/NADH ratio)
Alcohol dehydrogenase also metabolises other alcohols
Ethanol can be used to compete for the enzyme slowing metabolism of other alcohols to toxic metabolites
Ingestion
Ethanol is metabolised by oxidation by alcohol dehydrogenase
rate limited
alcohol dehydrogenase converts ethanol to acetaldehyde (and the reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to NADH) aldehyde dehydrogenase converts acetaldehyde to acetate.
immature dehydrogenase activity in children <5yo leads to rapid increases in blood levels and intoxication
Effect
CNS depression
Impaired gluconeogenesis (due to altered NAD+/NADH ratio)
- glycogen stores depleted (glycogenolysis being the other source of glucose, hence glucagon useless)
- hypoglycemia > seizure > death
Alcohol dehydrogenase also metabolises other alcohols
Ethanol can be used to compete for the enzyme slowing metabolism of other alcohols to toxic metabolites