What type of kinetics applies for alcohol in the body? Also, explain the clinical significance of this.

Ethanol is rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the body, due to the lipophilicity of alcohols. Peak levels can be reached within 30 minutes, if the person is in a fasting state. The volume of distribution depends on the total body water which is 0.5-0.7L / kg. When the oral dose of equivalents is taken, there will be a greater peak in women than are men, because women have less body water. 90% of alcohol metabolism takes place in the liver and the rest of the metabolism in the urine and lungs. An adult will metabolize alcohol within 7-10g / h

Give a brief summary of the metabolic pathways of ethanol metabolism.

There are two enzyme systems:

1. Alcohol dehydrogenase:

• Has low and moderate amounts.

• Limited amount of NAD (coenzyme): This is the zero-order kinetics enzyme, and occurs in 7-10g / h. The rate of degradation remains the same regardless of the amount of alcohol ingested.

2. Microsomal Alcohol Oxidation:

• Mixed function oxidase.

• The enzyme system occurs at a high concentration of alcohol, which is more than 100mg / dL.

• During the chronic use of alcohol, increases the activity of MEOS, which is also partly responsible for the tolerance, during the chronic use of alcohol.

Acetaldehyde is the end product of alcohol, in both enzyme systems

Which drugs can affect this metabolism and what are the effects thereof?

Disulfiram, Metronidazole, Hypoglycemic drugs and Kefalosporien. These drugs inhibit Aldehyde dehydrogenase, which causes Acetaldehyde to not be metabolized. Which then leads to congestion. When acetaldehyde accumulates, the following symptoms occur: palpitations, nausea, blushing, dizziness and headache.