Biomaterial Database

Mechanism of alcohol sensitivity and disulfiram-ethanol reaction. 1982

S Harada, and D P Agarwal, and H W Goedde

Human aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) consists of two main isozymes with low and high Km for aldehyde. ALDH isozymes in hair sheats were tested from 40 Japanese using isoelectric focusing and blood acetaldehyde determination with gas chromatography. About 43% of Japanese, who lacked the low Km enzyme (ALDH I) showed an elevated acetaldehyde concentration due to their inability to metabolize acetaldehyde quickly and effectively. Studies regarding the inhibitory reaction of disulfiram and its metabolites have been performed. Among the metabolites, diethylamine inhibited the low Km enzyme strongly. It is presumed that vasomotor symptoms and high acetaldehyde concentration in blood after alcohol intake in patients who are treated with disulfiram might be mainly due to a decrease in activity of the low Km enzyme caused by diethylamine which is produced in vivo as one of the metabolites from disulfiram, rather than to an inhibitory reaction of disulfiram only. Thus, alcohol sensitivity in Mongoloids and disulfiram-ethanol reaction may have a common mechanism.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007527	Isoenzymes	Structurally related forms of an enzyme. Each isoenzyme has the same mechanism and classification, but differs in its chemical, physical, or immunological characteristics.	Alloenzyme,Allozyme,Isoenzyme,Isozyme,Isozymes,Alloenzymes,Allozymes
D004048	Diethylamines	Diethylamine with the formula CH3CH2NHCH2CH3 and its derivatives.
D004221	Disulfiram	A carbamate derivative used as an alcohol deterrent. It is a relatively nontoxic substance when administered alone, but markedly alters the intermediary metabolism of alcohol. When alcohol is ingested after administration of disulfiram, blood acetaldehyde concentrations are increased, followed by flushing, systemic vasodilation, respiratory difficulties, nausea, hypotension, and other symptoms (acetaldehyde syndrome). It acts by inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase.	Tetraethylthiuram Disulfide,Alcophobin,Antabus,Antabuse,Anticol,Bis(diethylthiocarbamoyl) Disulfide,Dicupral,Esperal,Tetraethylthioperoxydicarbonic Diamide, ((H2N)C(S))2S2,Teturam,Disulfide, Tetraethylthiuram
D006197	Hair	A filament-like structure consisting of a shaft which projects to the surface of the SKIN from a root which is softer than the shaft and lodges in the cavity of a HAIR FOLLICLE. It is found on most surfaces of the body.	Fetal Hair,Hair, Fetal,Lanugo,Fetal Hairs,Hairs,Hairs, Fetal
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000079	Acetaldehyde	A colorless, flammable liquid used in the manufacture of acetic acid, perfumes, and flavors. It is also an intermediate in the metabolism of alcohol. It has a general narcotic action and also causes irritation of mucous membranes. Large doses may cause death from respiratory paralysis.	Ethanal
D000431	Ethanol	A clear, colorless liquid rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed throughout the body. It has bactericidal activity and is used often as a topical disinfectant. It is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations as well as serving as the primary ingredient in ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.	Alcohol, Ethyl,Absolute Alcohol,Grain Alcohol,Alcohol, Absolute,Alcohol, Grain,Ethyl Alcohol
D000444	Aldehyde Dehydrogenase	An enzyme that oxidizes an aldehyde in the presence of NAD+ and water to an acid and NADH. This enzyme was formerly classified as EC 1.1.1.70.	D-Glucuronolactone Dehydrogenase,Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (NAD(+)),Aldehyde Dehydrogenase E1,Aldehyde Dehydrogenase E2,Aldehyde-NAD Oxidoreductase,Aldehyde NAD Oxidoreductase,D Glucuronolactone Dehydrogenase,Dehydrogenase, Aldehyde,Dehydrogenase, D-Glucuronolactone
D000445	Aldehyde Oxidoreductases	Oxidoreductases that are specific for ALDEHYDES.	Aldehyde Oxidoreductase,Oxidoreductase, Aldehyde,Oxidoreductases, Aldehyde
D044466	Asian People	Persons having origins in any of the Asian racial groups of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam. Note that OMB category ASIAN is available for United States population groups. Race and ethnicity terms, as used in the federal government, are self-identified social construct and may include terms outdated and offensive in MeSH to assist users who are interested in retrieving comprehensive search results for studies such as in longitudinal studies.	Asian Continental Ancestry Group,Asian Person,Asiatic Race,Mongoloid Race,Asian Peoples,Asian Persons,Asiatic Races,Mongoloid Races,People, Asian,Person, Asian,Race, Asiatic,Race, Mongoloid