Page last updated: 2024-10-24

ethanol catabolic process

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of ethanol, CH3-CH2-OH, a colorless, water-miscible, flammable liquid produced by alcoholic fermentation. [GOC:ai, ISBN:0198506732]

Ethanol catabolism is a metabolic process that breaks down ethanol (ethyl alcohol) into less toxic compounds, primarily acetaldehyde and then acetate. This process occurs primarily in the liver, though some ethanol metabolism can also occur in other tissues. The breakdown of ethanol involves two main steps:

1. **Oxidation of Ethanol to Acetaldehyde:** This step is catalyzed by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). ADH uses NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) as a cofactor to oxidize ethanol, producing acetaldehyde and NADH (reduced form of NAD+). This step is the rate-limiting step in ethanol metabolism, meaning it determines the overall rate of ethanol breakdown.

2. **Oxidation of Acetaldehyde to Acetate:** Acetaldehyde, a toxic compound, is further oxidized by the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) to acetate. ALDH also uses NAD+ as a cofactor. Acetate is a less toxic compound and can be further metabolized or used for energy production.

The overall reaction can be summarized as follows:

Ethanol + NAD+ → Acetaldehyde + NADH + H+

Acetaldehyde + NAD+ + H2O → Acetate + NADH + H+

**Factors Affecting Ethanol Metabolism:**

* **Genetics:** Individual variations in the activity of ADH and ALDH enzymes can affect the rate of ethanol metabolism.
* **Gender:** Women generally have lower levels of ADH activity than men, which can lead to higher blood alcohol levels.
* **Nutrition:** A diet low in protein can reduce the activity of ADH and slow down ethanol metabolism.
* **Other factors:** The presence of other drugs or medications can also affect ethanol metabolism.

**Consequences of Ethanol Catabolism:**

* **Acetaldehyde Toxicity:** Acetaldehyde is a toxic compound that can cause a variety of adverse effects, including flushing, nausea, and headache.
* **NADH Accumulation:** The production of NADH during ethanol metabolism can disrupt other metabolic processes, such as gluconeogenesis (glucose production) and fatty acid oxidation.
* **Liver Damage:** Chronic ethanol consumption can lead to liver damage, including fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis.

**Note:** Ethanol catabolism is a complex process that is influenced by a variety of factors. The information provided here is a simplified overview. For further details, please consult a professional medical source.'
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Proteins (5)

ProteinDefinitionTaxonomy
Sulfotransferase 2A1A sulfotransferase 2A1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:Q06520]Homo sapiens (human)
Sulfotransferase 1A1A sulfotransferase 1A1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P50225]Homo sapiens (human)
Sulfotransferase 1E1A sulfotransferase 1E1 that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P49888]Homo sapiens (human)
Aldehyde dehydrogenase X, mitochondrialAn aldehyde dehydrogenase X, mitochondrial that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P30837]Homo sapiens (human)
Aldehyde dehydrogenase, mitochondrialAn aldehyde dehydrogenase, mitochondrial that is encoded in the genome of human. [PRO:DNx, UniProtKB:P05091]Homo sapiens (human)

Compounds (23)

CompoundDefinitionClassesRoles
amoxapineamoxapine : A dibenzooxazepine compound having a chloro substituent at the 2-position and a piperazin-1-yl group at the 11-position.

Amoxapine: The N-demethylated derivative of the antipsychotic agent LOXAPINE that works by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin, or both; it also blocks dopamine receptors. Amoxapine is used for the treatment of depression.
dibenzooxazepineadrenergic uptake inhibitor;
antidepressant;
dopaminergic antagonist;
geroprotector;
serotonin uptake inhibitor
disulfiramorganic disulfide;
organosulfur acaricide
angiogenesis inhibitor;
antineoplastic agent;
apoptosis inducer;
EC 1.2.1.3 [aldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD(+))] inhibitor;
EC 3.1.1.1 (carboxylesterase) inhibitor;
EC 3.1.1.8 (cholinesterase) inhibitor;
EC 5.99.1.2 (DNA topoisomerase) inhibitor;
ferroptosis inducer;
fungicide;
NF-kappaB inhibitor
protriptylineProtriptyline: Tricyclic antidepressant similar in action and side effects to IMIPRAMINE. It may produce excitation.carbotricyclic compoundantidepressant
thiramthiram : An organic disulfide that results from the formal oxidative dimerisation of N,N-dimethyldithiocarbamic acid. It is widely used as a fungicidal seed treatment.

Thiram: A dithiocarbamate chemical, used commercially in the rubber processing industry and as a fungicide. In vivo studies indicate that it inactivates the enzyme GLUTATHIONE REDUCTASE. It has mutagenic activity and may induce chromosomal aberrations.
organic disulfideantibacterial drug;
antifungal agrochemical;
antiseptic drug
ethinyl estradiol17alpha-ethynylestradiol : A 3-hydroxy steroid that is estradiol substituted by a ethynyl group at position 17. It is a xenoestrogen synthesized from estradiol and has been shown to exhibit high estrogenic potency on oral administration.

Ethinyl Estradiol: A semisynthetic alkylated ESTRADIOL with a 17-alpha-ethinyl substitution. It has high estrogenic potency when administered orally, and is often used as the estrogenic component in ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES.
17-hydroxy steroid;
3-hydroxy steroid;
terminal acetylenic compound
xenoestrogen
bis(1-piperidylthiocarbonyl)disulfidebis(1-piperidylthiocarbonyl)disulfide: indicator for analysis of copper; structure
2-naphthol2-naphthol : A naphthol carrying a hydroxy group at position 2.

2-naphthol: RN given refers to parent cpd

naphthols : Any hydroxynaphthalene derivative that has a single hydroxy substituent.
naphtholantinematodal drug;
genotoxin;
human urinary metabolite;
human xenobiotic metabolite;
mouse metabolite;
radical scavenger
win 18446WIN 18446 : A carboxamide that is 1,8-diaminooctane in which a hydrogen attached to each of the amino groups has been replaced by a dichloroacetyl group. Inhibitor of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1a2 (ALDH1a2). Inhibits the biosynthesis of retinoic acid from retinol in neonatal and adult murine testis. It down-regulates sex related genes in zebrafish.organochlorine compound;
secondary carboxamide
EC 1.2.1.3 [aldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD(+))] inhibitor
5-hydroxyindolehydroxyindoleshuman metabolite
4-(diethylamino)benzaldehyde4-(diethylamino)benzaldehyde : A member of the class of benzaldehydes carrying a diethylamino substituent at position 4.aromatic amine;
benzaldehydes;
tertiary amino compound
EC 1.2.1.3 [aldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD(+))] inhibitor
magnololbiphenyls
daidzindaidzein 7-O-beta-D-glucoside : A glycosyloxyisoflavone that is daidzein attached to a beta-D-glucopyranosyl residue at position 7 via a glycosidic linkage. It is used in the treatment of alcohol dependency (antidipsotropic).

daidzin: a potent, selective, and reversible inhibitor of human mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase
7-hydroxyisoflavones 7-O-beta-D-glucoside;
hydroxyisoflavone;
monosaccharide derivative
plant metabolite
6-hydroxybenzothiazole
ononin4'-methoxyisoflavones;
7-hydroxyisoflavones 7-O-beta-D-glucoside;
monosaccharide derivative
plant metabolite
6-hydroxyindole6-hydroxyindole: structure in first source
7-butyl-8-[[4-(3-chlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]methyl]-1,3-dimethylpurine-2,6-dionepiperazines
n-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-2,6-dichlorobenzamideN-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-2,6-dichlorobenzamide: Cardioprotective Agent; a small-molecule activator of aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 that reduces ischemic damage to the heartcarbonyl compound;
organohalogen compound
4-hydroxytoremifene4-hydroxytoremifene: metabolite of toremifene; RN refers to (Z)-isomer; structure in first source
5-hydroxybenzimidazole5-hydroxybenzimidazole : A member of the class of benzimidazoles that is 1H-benzimidazole carrying a single hydroxy substituent at position 5.

5-hydroxybenzimidazole: only base detected in cobamide cpds from methanol-grown Methanosarcina barkeri
benzimidazoles;
phenols
bacterial metabolite;
human metabolite;
rat metabolite
daidzein7-hydroxyisoflavonesantineoplastic agent;
EC 2.7.7.7 (DNA-directed DNA polymerase) inhibitor;
EC 3.2.1.20 (alpha-glucosidase) inhibitor;
phytoestrogen;
plant metabolite
prunetinprunetin : A hydroxyisoflavone that is genistein in which the hydroxy group at position 7 is replaced by a methoxy group.

prunetin: reduces herpes virus-1 plaque formation
7-methoxyisoflavones;
hydroxyisoflavone
anti-inflammatory agent;
EC 1.2.1.3 [aldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD(+))] inhibitor;
EC 1.3.1.22 [3-oxo-5alpha-steroid 4-dehydrogenase (NADP(+))] inhibitor;
metabolite
4'-hydroxychalcone4'-hydroxychalcone : A member of the class of chalcones that is trans-chalcone substituted by a hydroxy group at position 4'.

4'-hydroxychalcone: inhibits TNFalpha-induced NF-κB activation; structure in first source
chalcones;
phenols
anti-inflammatory agent;
antineoplastic agent
2-(4'-(methylamino)phenyl)-6-hydroxybenzothiazole