1. What are the possible mechanisms involved in the occurrence of tolerance to chronic alcohol intake?

• Central nervous system adaptation of receptor or second messengers
• Increase in the rate of metabolism
• The enzyme system MEOS (mixed function oxidases) is also partially responsible for tolerance. 

 

2. What are the toxic effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the liver and hepatic metabolism?

Chronic alcohol consumption has the following effects on the liver and hepatic metabolism - 

• Hepatitis
• Liver cirrhosis
• Decrease in liver function
• Decreased gluconeogenesis
• Hypoglycaemia 
• There is progressive reduction in liver function, hepatitis and cirrhosis
• Increase in the activity of liver microsomal enzymes

 

3. What is Wernicke-Korsakoff-syndrome and how is it treated?

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) is a type of brain disorder caused by a lack of vitamin B-1, or thiamine. It includes symptoms like confusion and loss of mental activity that can progress to coma and death, ataxia that can cause leg tremor, vision changes such as abnormal eye movements, double vision and eyelid drooping. 

This syndrome is treated by injecting Thiamine intravenously because abdominal absorption of thiamine is hampered in affected individuals.

 

4. Fully explain the fetal alcohol syndrome.

Fetal alcohol syndrome is a condition in a child that results from alcohol exposure during the mother's pregnancy. Fetal alcohol syndrome causes brain damage and growth problems. The problems caused by fetal alcohol syndrome vary from child to child, but defects caused by fetal alcohol syndrome are not reversible.  Some of these symptoms occurs - mental retardation, growth deficiency, smaller brain, characteristics under development of middle facial area.

 

5. How do the pharmacokinetic interactions of acute alcohol consumption differ from that of chronic alcohol consumption?

Acute alcohol consumption decreases the metabolism of drugs. This causes the drug to build up in the body and accumulative central nervous system suppression is a result. Examples of these drugs include: Phenothiazines, tricyclic anti-depressants and other sedative-hypnotics.

Chronic consumption of alcohol increases the metabolic transformation of other drugs. This causes a shortened effect of the drug.

 

6. Name 4 drug interactions with alcohol where the pharmacological effects of the other drugs are potentiated by alcohol.

• Vasodilators
• Hypoglycaemic drugs
• Aspirin
• Paracetamol