Ethanol For The Treatment of Methanol Poisoning Members: 李海仙 Dora 黄丽慧 Lilis 黄丽慧 Lilis 潘永辉 Pamk 潘永辉 Pamk 李深 Martin 李深 Martin

Background In China, there has been many death cases of methanol poisoning reported. Almost all cases reported are caused by ingestion of fake alcohol (methanol) as a substitution of common alcohol (ethanol). Ethanol is also a highly toxic compound ; however, it has often been used as an antidote for methanol poisoning. Therefore, we conduct this experiment to verify the efficacy of ethanol in treating methanol poisoning. In China, there has been many death cases of methanol poisoning reported. Almost all cases reported are caused by ingestion of fake alcohol (methanol) as a substitution of common alcohol (ethanol). Ethanol is also a highly toxic compound ; however, it has often been used as an antidote for methanol poisoning. Therefore, we conduct this experiment to verify the efficacy of ethanol in treating methanol poisoning.

Mechanism of Methanol Toxicity Methanol is readily absorbed into the body. The metabolism of methanol is carried out in the liver by the enzyme Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH). It can be metabolized to highly toxic compounds (formaldehyde and formic acid) that are responsible for the acidosis and blindness characteristic of methanol poisoning and even death. Methanol is readily absorbed into the body. The metabolism of methanol is carried out in the liver by the enzyme Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH). It can be metabolized to highly toxic compounds (formaldehyde and formic acid) that are responsible for the acidosis and blindness characteristic of methanol poisoning and even death.

Metabolism of Methanol

Treatment with Ethanol Ethanol is a competitive inhibitor of ADH. It ’ s affinity for ADH is times greater than that of methanol. Ethanol slows the rate of methanol ’ s conversion to formaldehyde and formic acid, allowing the body time to excrete methanol in the breath and urine. Ethanol is a competitive inhibitor of ADH. It ’ s affinity for ADH is times greater than that of methanol. Ethanol slows the rate of methanol ’ s conversion to formaldehyde and formic acid, allowing the body time to excrete methanol in the breath and urine. MethanolFormaldehyde Formic Acid Ethanol - - ADH

Experimental Procedure Groups: 20 mice divided into 5 groups Groups: 20 mice divided into 5 groups Administration route: intragastric ( 灌胃 ) Administration route: intragastric ( 灌胃 ) Group A is for preliminary experiment to determine the minimum lethal dose of methanol in mice. Group A is for preliminary experiment to determine the minimum lethal dose of methanol in mice. The minimum lethal dose obtained is 0.150ml/10g. The minimum lethal dose obtained is 0.150ml/10g.

Methods (cont ’ d) GroupAntidote Dose (ml/10g) Death Time B----? C 40% Ethanol 0.061? D 60% Ethanol 0.061? E Folic Acid 2.255mg/ml?

Results GroupAntidote Average Intoxication Time (min) Average Death Time (min) B C 40% Ethanol D 60% Ethanol 64-- E Folic Acid 66--

Discussion The results showed that the death time of the 40% Ethanol group (105min) is longer than the death time of the blank group (76min). The results showed that the death time of the 40% Ethanol group (105min) is longer than the death time of the blank group (76min). No death observed in the 60% Ethanol group and Folic Acid group. No death observed in the 60% Ethanol group and Folic Acid group. The death time of the methanol-poisoned mice has been delayed. This has proven that ethanol is effective in treating methanol poisoning. The death time of the methanol-poisoned mice has been delayed. This has proven that ethanol is effective in treating methanol poisoning.

Discussion (cont ’ d) From the experiment, we ’ ve found out that ethanol does relieve methanol poisoning. However, excess ethanol has a certain side effects to our body. From here, we can actually conduct a further study to create an ethanol-like drug with its side effects decreased but still having the competitive function with methanol. From the experiment, we ’ ve found out that ethanol does relieve methanol poisoning. However, excess ethanol has a certain side effects to our body. From here, we can actually conduct a further study to create an ethanol-like drug with its side effects decreased but still having the competitive function with methanol. ---  Great discovery. ---  Great discovery.