Ethanol Pharmacology and Metabolism

Which of the following is a teratogenic effect associated with ethanol use during pregnancy?

What is the primary means by which ethanol is metabolized in the body?

Which enzyme is primarily responsible for converting ethanol to acetaldehyde?

What condition is NOT directly associated with chronic ethanol use?

Which molecule plays a crucial role as a cofactor in ethanol metabolism?

Which statement is true regarding the absorption and distribution of ethanol in the body?

What can happen as a result of ethanol use in terms of appetite?

What is the connection between ethanol and gastrointestinal tract neoplasia?

Ethanol Pharmacology

Ethanol use in pregnancy linked to teratogenic effects, including mental retardation, growth deficiencies, microcephaly, and facial malformations
Chronic ethanol use associated with increased incidence of neoplastic diseases in the gastrointestinal tract
Ethanol is not a primary carcinogen
Initially, ethanol use can stimulate the CNS, followed by depression
Increases appetite, gastric acid secretion, and risk of gastritis and peptic ulcer aggravation
Dose-dependent CNS depression
Ethanol causes diuresis due to antidiuretic hormone (ADH) inhibition
Ethanol is rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the body, equivalent to total body water
Ethanol metabolism, primarily in the liver, follows zero-order kinetics due to enzyme saturation
Ethanol is oxidized to acetaldehyde, then acetic acid, via successive enzymatic reactions

Ethanol Metabolism

Ethanol is metabolized to acetaldehyde, then acetic acid
Two enzyme systems crucial (Fig. 4.14)
The first step is ethanol conversion to acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)
Acetaldehyde converted to acetic acid by aldehyde dehydrogenase
Acetaldehyde formation from alcohol is largely responsible for alcohol's characteristic effects
Acetaldehyde is toxic and is eliminated by the liver

Ethanol Pharmacokinetics

Ethanol quickly absorbed and uniformly distributed throughout the body
Volume of distribution equals total body water
Metabolism occurs mainly in the liver and follows zero-order kinetics (constant elimination rate)
This is because enzymes are quickly saturated, so more ethanol = more metabolites at a constant rate

This quiz covers the pharmacological effects and metabolism of ethanol, including its teratogenic effects during pregnancy, chronic health risks, and the dose-dependent nature of its impact on the central nervous system. Additionally, it explores the enzymatic pathways involved in ethanol metabolism, highlighting important concepts for understanding its physiological effects.