-What types of kinetics applies for alcohol in the body? Also explain the clinical significance of this:

There are two types of kinetics that applies for alcohols in the body namely: The Alcohol Dehydrogenase system and the MEOS system

The Alcohol Dehydrogenase system metabolizes alcohol by means of zero-order kinetics at a rate of 7-10g/hour. Only low to moderate amounts of alcohol because there is a limited amount of NAD (co-enzyme) that saturates the system.

The MEOS system (Mixed Function Oxidase System) metabolizes higher concentrations of alcohol, the significance of this is that with chronic alcohol users this system’s activity increases, thus more alcohol is metabolized per time unit and in that way tolerance is created.

-Give a brief summary of the metabolic pathways of ethanol metabolism:

Ethanol is metabolized and acetaldehyde is formed as an end product. Acetaldehyde is converted by the enzyme aldehyddehidrogenase to acetate which is then converted to carbon dioxide and water us excreted.

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

Disulfiram

Cephalosporins

Metronidazole

Hypoglycaemic drugs.

These drugs affects the conversion of acetaldehyde to acetate by blocking the action of the enzyme aldehyddehidrogenase.