Work

Dangerous byproducts of alcohol breakdown--focus on adducts.

Year: 2003

Type: article

Abstract: Alcohol breakdown in the liver results in the generation of the reactive molecule acetaldehyde and, as a byproduct, highly reactive oxygen-containing molecules known as oxygen radicals. Both acetaldehyde and oxygen radicals can interact with proteins and other complex molecules in the cell, forming hybrid compounds called adducts. Other adducts are formed with aldehyde molecules, which are produced through the interaction of oxygen radicals with lipids in the cells. Adduct formation impedes the function of the original proteins participating in the reaction. Moreover, the adducts may induce harmful immune responses. Both of these effects may account for some of the damage observed in alcoholic liver disease. Adduct formation has been shown to occur in the livers of humans and animals consuming alcohol and to start and predominate in those liver regions that show the first signs of liver damage.

Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)

Authors: Dean J Tuma, Carol A Casey

Institutions: United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Omaha VA Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Alcohol Consumption and Health Effects

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Award: ALCOHOLIC LIVER INJURY--COVALENT BINDING OF ACETALDEHYDE