1. Alcohol, spiritus, ethanol
An Arabic expression: al-kahal = fine substantion
Fermentation: from glucose with yeast enzymes, max. concentration 14 %
Beer: cca 5 % alcohol Wine: cca 12 % alcohol Destillated beverages: cca % alcohol
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2. The effects of alcohol Acute alcohol intoxication (Noe)
Alcoholism (addiction)
Alcoholic is who drinks more than his doctor
Withdrawal syndrome (delirium, white mice)
Diseases associated with alcohol consumption
Beneficial health effects of moderate drinking
The French paradox
alcohole18.ppt

3. Resorbtion and excretion
Rapid resorbtion – ethanol is a small hydrophilic molecule
Already from stomach (empty – full)
30 to 150 minutes
Possible resorbtion also through skin and other mucosa
Metabolism mainly in liver through 2 enzymes: alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase
To a lesser extent catalase and MEOS
Excretion through kidneys and lungs
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4. E1 E2
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5. Acetaldehyde acetic acid
Ethanol acetaldehyde
Acetaldehyde acetic acid
If E2 << E1, accumulation of acetaldehyde, unpleasant symptoms (women, Japanese and Chinese people) E1 E2
alcohole18.ppt

6. Hangover, kac, kocovina,
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7. Acute intoxication Symptoms alcohol mg/l (promille) 0,50 – 0,75
Excitation
Euphoria, decreased mental concentration
1,00 – 1,50
Excitation, drunkenness
Agressivity. Loss of judgement, ataxia, disorder of motor coordination
2,00 – 3.00
Depression
Disorder of consciousness
> 3,00
Coma, death
alcohole18.ppt

8. Metabolic consequences
Decrease of gluconeogenesis, hypoglycamia in diabetics!
Decrease of lipid oxidation, fatty liver up to liver cirrhosis
Acidosis
Decreased excretion of uric acid, attacks in patients with gout
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9. Alcohol and diseases Direct effect (brain, liver)
Common cause of dementia (Korsakoff)
Cirrhosis
fatal bleeding from oesophageal varices
Deficient nutrition
B vitamin deficiency and neuropathy
Toxic compounds
Methanol, glycols, cobalt, thujone from absynth
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10. Alcohol and the western populations
Absolute abstainers 10 %
Consistent consumers 20 %
Nonconsistent consumers 20 %
Occasional heavy drinkers 27 %
Regular heavy drinkers 20 %
Addictive alcoholics 3 %
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11. Consequences of heavy drinking in EU
Fatal traffic accidents
Fatal injuries
Assassinations
Self-murder
Deaths due to liver cirrhosis*
Deaths due to malignant tumors
Deaths due to neuropsychical diseases
* Liver failure and bleeding from oesophageal varices
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12. Alcohol and health? The French paradox (CHD in France vs Scotland)
Ý HDL cholesterol, Ý fibrinolysis, ßcoagulation, Ýinsulin sensitivity
Decreased risk of MI
Antioxidants (resveratrol) ? Life style ?
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13. Metabolism of methanol
The same, but…
Formaldehyde is more toxic as compared with acetaldehyde, formic acid is extremely toxic
Severe acidosis, damage of the retina, blindness
Ethanol therapy ?!
alcohole18.ppt