Tag Archives: Alcohol dehydrogenase

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Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD)

January 13, 2017
Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) and did you know that for every beverage alcohol you take about 2 to 8 percent is lost through urine, sweat, or the breath?

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD): Acetaldehyde and Alcoholism

Did you know that for every beverage alcohol you take about 2 to 8 percent is lost through urine, sweat, or the breath? This means that the other 92 to 98 percent is metabolized by your body. All ethyl alcohol which is broken down in the human body is first converted to acetaldehyde, and then this acetaldehyde is converted into acetic acid radicals also known as acetyl radicals. Acetaldehyde is a poison which is a close relative of formaldehyde. Acetic acid is the essential component of vinegar. The acetic acid radical is the combining form of acetic acid. This acetic acid radical combines with Coenzyme A to form acetyl-CoA. The acetyl-CoA then enters the Krebs cycle, which is the basic powerhouse of the human body. Inside the Krebs cycle, this acetyl radical is eventually broken down into carbon dioxide and water.

According to the experts from the AWAREmed health and wellness resource center under the leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD, there are three different enzymes the body uses to convert alcohol to acetaldehyde. The three enzymes work by stripping two hydrogen atoms off from the alcohol molecule thereby converting the alcohol molecule into a molecule of acetaldehyde says doctor Akoury. We are going to consider the three enzymes progressively in this article.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD): The Three Alcohol Enzymes

The three enzymes which can convert alcohol to acetaldehyde are:

  • Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) ·
  • Cytochrome P450 (CYP2E1) ·
  • Catalase

Each of these enzymes is found in different parts of the body and each of them handles the hydrogen atoms which are stripped off from the alcohol molecule in a different way. For the purpose of this article, we are going to discuss the first one and proceed with the rest of the subsequent postings.

Alcohol dehydrogenase

The name “alcohol dehydrogenase” sounds quite a mouthful, but it is self-explanatory if we break it down into its component parts. “de-” is a prefix which means “to remove”. We find it in such words as “dethrone” which means “to remove from the throne”. “-use” is a suffix which means “enzyme”. Any time you see a chemical term which ends in the suffix “-as” you know that you are dealing with an enzyme. “hydrogen” means “hydrogen” of course. So “de-hydrogen-ase” means “an enzyme which removes hydrogen atoms”, and “alcohol dehydrogenase” means “an enzyme which removes hydrogen atoms from the alcohol molecule”. The name alcohol dehydrogenase is sometimes abbreviated to ADH.

ADH is the workhorse of the alcohol enzymes–it breaks down the majority of the alcohol that enters the human body. Alcohol dehydrogenase is actually the name for a family of enzymes which break down alcohol–each of which has a slightly different molecular structure. Researchers have identified as many as 10 varieties of the alcohol dehydrogenase molecule. All of them bring about the same chemical reaction–the difference is that some varieties of alcohol dehydrogenase work more efficiently than others. As we shall be seeing later, these variations in the alcohol dehydrogenase molecule can explain why some individuals react differently to alcohol than others.

The alcohol dehydrogenase molecules do their work primarily in the stomach and the liver, although traces of them are found in other tissues as well. The hydrogen which is released when alcohol dehydrogenase turns alcohol into acetaldehyde is bound to a compound called NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) to form NADH (this is short for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide plus Hydrogen). Alcohol dehydrogenase does its work in the cellular fluid (cytosol) of the cell. The wordings in this article may be technical but necessary in understanding the dangers of substance abuse. You may want to seek for more clarity from the experts at AWAREmed today.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD): Acetaldehyde and Alcoholism

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Acetaldehyde poison and Alcohol consumption

December 22, 2016
Acetaldehyde poison

Acetaldehyde poison and Alcohol consumption if not addressed in good time can be catastrophic

Acetaldehyde poison and Alcohol consumption: Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1)

In light social drinkers nearly all the alcohol consumed is taken care of by alcohol dehydrogenase. However, the enzyme Cytochrome P450 2E1 (abbreviated CYP2E1) becomes quite active in metabolizing alcohol in chronic heavy drinkers. CYP2E1 does its work in the liver. The hydrogen released by this reaction is bound to oxygen and to NADPH to form water and NADP+. This reaction takes energy rather than producing it. CYP2E1 does its work in the microsomes of the cell. This is sometimes referred to as MEOS (Microsomal Ethanol Oxidizing System). CYP2E1 is a member of the Cytochrome P450 enzyme family. The next enzyme is the catalase.

Acetaldehyde poison and Alcohol consumption: Catalase

Catalase is found in tiny organs inside of cells called peroxisomes. Catalase is found all over the human body. When catalase turns alcohol into acetaldehyde the hydrogen which is released is bound to hydrogen peroxide molecules which then become water. Although catalase is active everywhere in the body, catalase is of particular interest to researchers because it metabolizes alcohol in the brain. The acetaldehyde released into the brain by the metabolism of alcohol by catalase has the potential to combine with neurotransmitters to form new compounds known as THIQs (tetrahydroisoquinolines, also sometimes called TIQs). Some researchers believe that THIQs are the cause of alcohol addiction and that the presence of THIQs distinguishes addicted drinkers from social drinkers. Other researches strongly dispute the validity of the THIQ hypothesis of alcohol addiction. The actual role of THIQs remains controversial and calls for further research.

Acetaldehyde poison and Alcohol consumption: How acetaldehyde dehydrogenase works

Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase does its work in the mitochondria of cells and removes a hydrogen atom from acetaldehyde to produce an acetic acid radical. This hydrogen atom combines with NAD+ to form NADH.

There are several varieties of aldehyde dehydrogenase found in the human body. The one which normally breaks down acetaldehyde is called ALDH2. There is another variety aldehyde dehydrogenase found in the human body which is called ALDH2*2. ALDH2*2 is only about 8% as efficient as ALDH2 in metabolizing acetaldehyde. Some East Asian people have ALDH2*2 instead of ALDH2 in their bodies. These individuals find the effect of alcohol to be very unpleasant as we discuss below. Doctor Dalal Akoury MD, President and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center reiterates that the aldehyde dehydrogenase enzymes are found in many tissues of the body, but are at the highest concentration in the liver

The problem with too much NADH

Finally, it is important to appreciate that alcohol metabolism produces excess amounts of NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide plus Hydrogen). This excess of NADH can lead to acidosis from lactic acid build-up and hypoglycemia from lack of glucose synthesis. It can also lead to weight gain, fatty liver, and heart attack. It is because of these health risks that made doctor Akoury to formulate this health facility to offer meaningful and professional treatment that yield absolute result. This is not a simple problem and therefore, if you are struggling with alcoholism, help is just a phone call away. As soon as you make that call, an appointment will be schedule and your life will be transformed positively and for real productivity.

Acetaldehyde poison and Alcohol consumption: Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1)

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Alcoholism

Acetaldehyde roles and Alcoholism

December 22, 2016
Acetaldehyde roles

Acetaldehyde roles and Alcoholism works by categorizing alcoholism treatment solutions primarily to defeat addiction

Acetaldehyde roles and Alcoholism: Hydrogen atoms

Did you know that for every alcoholic beverage you take about 2 to 8 percent is lost through urine, sweat, or the breath? This means that the other 92 to 98 percent is metabolized by your body. All ethyl alcohol which is broken down in the human body is first converted to acetaldehyde, and then this acetaldehyde is converted into acetic acid radicals known as acetyl radicals. Acetaldehyde is a poison which is closely related to formaldehyde. Acetic acid is the essential component of vinegar. The acetic acid radical is the combining form of acetic acid. This acetic acid radical combines with Coenzyme A to form acetyl-CoA. The acetyl-CoA rhen enters the Krebs cycle, which is the basic powerhouse of the human body. Inside the Krebs cycle this acetyl radical is eventually broken down into carbon dioxide and water.

According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center under the leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD, there are three different enzymes which the body uses to convert alcohol to acetaldehyde. All these enzymes work by stripping two hydrogen atoms off from the alcohol molecule which then converts the alcohol molecule into a molecule of acetaldehyde. We are going to be discussing the first one as indicated below and progressively conclude with the remaining two in our next article. And even as we do that, we appreciate that this article may be technical for many people and that is why if you have any concern about alcohol consumption, you can always schedule an appointment with doctor Akoury for a more professional breakdown of facts. The three enzymes which can convert alcohol to acetaldehyde are:

  • Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)
  • Cytochrome P450 (CYP2E1)
  • Catalase

Each of these enzymes is found in different parts of the body and each of them handles the hydrogen atoms which are stripped off from the alcohol molecule in a different way.

Acetaldehyde roles and Alcoholism: Alcohol dehydrogenase

The name “alcohol dehydrogenase” sounds like quite a mouthful, but it is quite self-explanatory if we break it down into its component parts. “de-” is a prefix which means “to remove”. We find it in such words as “dethrone” which means “to remove from the throne”. “-ase” is a suffix which means “enzyme”. Any time you see a chemical term which ends in the suffix “-ase” you know that you are dealing with an enzyme. “hydrogen” means “hydrogen” of course. So “de-hydrogen-ase” means “an enzyme which removes hydrogen atoms”, and “alcohol dehydrogenase” means “an enzyme which removes hydrogen atoms from the alcohol molecule”. The name alcohol dehydrogenase is sometimes abbreviated to ADH.

Alcohol dehydrogenase is the workhorse of the alcohol enzymes it breaks down the majority of the alcohol that enters the human body. Alcohol dehydrogenase is actually the name for a family of enzymes which break down alcohol–each of which has a slightly different molecular structure. Researchers have identified as many as 10 varieties of the alcohol dehydrogenase molecule. All of them bring about the same chemical reaction–the difference is that some varieties of alcohol dehydrogenase work more efficiently than others.

The alcohol dehydrogenase molecules do their work primarily in the stomach and the liver, although traces of them are found in other tissues as well. The hydrogen which is released when alcohol dehydrogenase turns alcohol into acetaldehyde is bound to a compound called NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) to form NADH (this is short for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide plus Hydrogen). Alcohol dehydrogenase does its work in the cellular fluid (cytosol) of the cell. If you dint know, now you know and for more clarification, call doctor Akoury now.

Acetaldehyde roles and Alcoholism: Hydrogen atoms

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Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse

May 29, 2015

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse: The Identification mechanism of alcohol addiction

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse are very necessary in the recovery process

It may not be very practical for anyone to candidly talk about alcohol abuse if the individual is not privy to the information about certain common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse. It therefore means that you cannot purport to be dealing with the problem of alcohol abuse if you are not in the know of the signs and symptoms of the substance. This is what doctor Dalal Akoury is going to help us understand for a couple of minutes in this article and you don’t want to miss on the expertise of this great and experienced addiction professional of over two decades of offering lasting treatment solutions to her clients. You too can be part of her great team of fully recovered alcoholic and join in the long list of positive testimonies by scheduling for an appointment with her today for the commencement of your recovery journey. In the meantime let us get back to the subject of discussion. The following will be some of the indicators that you may be jumping into alcohol addiction at a very high speed:

  • If you have been repeatedly neglecting your responsibilities at home, work, or school because of your drinking. Like for instance, performing poorly at work, flunking classes, neglecting your kids, or skipping out on commitments because of your drinking hung over.
  • Using alcohol in situations where it’s both physically, socially, morally and psychologically dangerous like for example, drinking and driving, operating machinery while intoxicated, or mixing alcohol with prescription medication against doctor’s orders.
  • When you are ever experiencing repeated legal problems with the law enforcement agencies on account of your drinking. For example, being arrested for driving under the influence or for drunk and disorderly conduct.
  • Continuing to drink even though your alcohol use is causing problems in your relationships. Getting drunk with your buddies, for example, even though you know your wife will be very upset, or fighting with your family because they dislike how you act when you drink.
  • Drinking as a way to relax or de-stress. Many drinking problems start when people use alcohol to self-soothe and relieve stress. Getting drunk after every stressful day, for example, or reaching for a bottle every time you have an argument with your spouse or boss.

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse: The path from alcohol abuse to alcoholism

Not all alcohol abusers become full-blown alcoholics, but it is a big risk factor. Sometimes alcoholism develops suddenly in response to a stressful change, such as a breakup, retirement, or another loss. Other times, it gradually creeps up on you as your tolerance to alcohol increases. If you’re a binge drinker or you drink every day, the risks of developing alcoholism are greater.

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse: Signs and symptoms of alcoholism (alcohol dependence)

Alcoholism is the most severe form of problem drinking. Alcoholism involves all the symptoms of alcohol abuse, but it also involves another element: physical dependence on alcohol. If you rely on alcohol to function or feel physically compelled to drink, you’re an alcoholic.

Tolerance

Under normal circumstances, this is often the major warning sign of alcoholism. If your answer to these questions is yes, then tolerance is clearly observable. Do you have to drink a lot more than you used to in order to get buzzed or to feel relaxed? Can you drink more than other people without getting drunk? These are signs of tolerance, which can be an early warning sign of alcoholism. Tolerance means that, over time, you need more and more alcohol to feel the same effects.

Withdrawal

After tolerance withdrawal comes in second as one of the major warning sign of alcoholism and a gain if your answer to these questions is yes then it is easy to conclude that alcoholism is knocking on your door. Do you need a drink to steady the shakes in the morning? Drinking to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms is a sign of alcoholism and a huge red flag. When you drink heavily, your body gets used to the alcohol and experiences withdrawal symptoms if it’s taken away. These include:

  • Anxiety or jumpiness
  • Shakiness or trembling
  • Sweating
  • Depression
  • Headache
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fatigue

Doctor Akoury notes it is important to take into account that in severe cases, withdrawal from alcohol can also involve hallucinations, confusion, seizures, fever, and agitation. It is therefore very important that as soon as these symptoms are identified, timely action must be taken because they can be dangerous; therefore schedule for an appointment with doctor Akoury and let treatment begins without any further delays.

Other signs and symptoms of alcoholism (alcohol dependence)

  • You’ve lost control over your drinking. You often drink more alcohol than you wanted to, for longer than you intended, or despite telling yourself you wouldn’t.
  • You want to quit drinking, but something is just pulling you back making you to embrace the fact that you can’t. You have a persistent desire to cut down or stop your alcohol use, but your efforts to quit have been unsuccessful.
  • You have given up other activities because of alcohol. You’re spending less time on activities that used to be important to you (hanging out with family and friends, going to the gym, pursuing your hobbies) because of your alcohol use.
  • Alcohol takes up a great deal of your energy and focus. You spend a lot of time drinking, thinking about it, or recovering from its effects. You have few if any interests or social involvements that don’t revolve around drinking.
  • You drink even though you know it’s causing problems. For example, you recognize that your alcohol use is damaging your marriage, making your depression worse, or causing health problems, but you continue to drink anyway.

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse: Drinking problems and denial

Finally doctor Akoury says that denial is one of the biggest obstacles to getting help for alcohol abuse and alcoholism. The desire to drink is so strong that the mind finds many ways to justifying drinking, even when the consequences are obvious. Therefore if you find yourself justifying your drinking habits by lying about them or refusing to discuss the subject, take a moment to consider why you’re so defensive. If you truly believe you don’t have a problem, there should be no reason for you to cover up your drinking or make excuses.

Common signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse: The Identification mechanism of alcohol addiction

 

 

 

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Alcohol Addiction GI Connection

November 1, 2013
Alcohol Addiction

Dr. Dalal Akoury

Alcohol Addiction GI Connection

Alcohol addiction plays a significant role in the creating damage to the GIT. This distorts the anatomical and physiological functions of the GIT that support the extended functions of the GIT in absorption and digestive processes on the body. The metabolic processes occur first through the activity of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. The GIT and Liver have different Alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzymes.

The chronic alcoholism however leads to advanced effects such as promoting the change in the phylogenetic genes in the body through the epigenetic process by the interference of the methylation processes. The main adverse effects have been associated with the alcohol and acetaldehyde metabolic products which promotes the oxidative processes through the formation of peroxides and superoxide ions. The stomach is also affected greatly through the alteration of gastric secretion, induction of acute gastric mucosa and interference with gastric mucosa ad intestinal motility. This may also lead to atrophy of the gastric mucosa and decreased gastric secretory capacity.

This reduced production of the gastric acid reduces the stomach ability to destroy the harmful bacteria in the stomach favoring their colonization (Bode & Bode, 1992). Alcohol Addiction also leads to the impairment of the small intestines. The small intestine is the section of the body where most of the nutrients are absorbed into the blood stream. Alcohol itself is rapidly absorbed in the small intestine (See figure 1)

Alcohol Addiction GI Connection

Figure 1

Alcohol Addiction GI Connection

Absorption of alcohol in the Jejunum is higher. Alcohol impairs intestinal enzymes through the cause of the mucosal injury (See figure 2). It also affects the intestinal permeability and in the population of the micro flora.   Figure 1: anatomy of the small intestine   Figure 2: Possible consequence of mucosal injuries Not many studies have been conducted on the large intestines but it has been shown that the administration of alcohol preventing motility and enhancing the propulsive motility (Mezey, 1985).  It has also reduced the amplitude of muscle contraction in the segment of the muscle. This has been a lead cause of alcoholics.

Alcohol Addiction

Figure 2

Absorption Alcohol is a toxin agent in the body and hence when introduced in the body, it alters the normal function and structure of the GIT. The GIT plays a significant role in the absorption, metabolism and production of alcohol. Absorption is the beginning of the metabolic processes. This takes place through the simple diffusion. This relies of the difference in concentration gradient between the alcohol concentration gradients in the GI and adjacent blood vessels. The permeability of the lining of the small intestine is also another controlling factor on the rate of absorption, the rate of the blood flow in the region influences the rate at which the alcoholics eliminated from the region therefore controlling the permeability.  Hence, there are higher the concentration of the alcohol at the mucosa lining, the higher the amount of alcohol that is absorbed in the body (Bujanda, 2000). It is on this basis that the presence of food in the small intestines and stomach that leads to the decrease of the rate of alcohol absorption. Other factors affecting the rate of absorption are the age, gender and body temperature, drugs taken and many other factors.

 

Our Mission at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Center is to help you Transform your life naturally. We are your passage from Dis-ease to Wellness

English: Work in progress on a summary of majo...

English: Work in progress on a summary of major cellular metabolic processes. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Alcohol Addiction GI Connection

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