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Which liver enzymes does alcohol primarily impact?



Alcohol primarily impacts two types of liver enzymes: alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) [1].

When a person consumes alcohol, it is primarily metabolized in the liver by ADH, which converts alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic and carcinogenic compound [1]. Acetaldehyde is then further metabolized by ALDH into acetate, a less harmful substance that can be eliminated from the body [1].

However, excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption can lead to a buildup of acetaldehyde, which can cause liver damage and disease [1]. This is because chronic alcohol consumption can result in the overexpression of ADH and the underexpression of ALDH, leading to an accumulation of acetaldehyde in the liver [1].

Moreover, alcohol can also affect other liver enzymes, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), which are commonly used as markers of liver damage [2]. Elevated levels of AST and ALT can indicate liver injury or disease, which can be caused by excessive alcohol consumption [2].

In summary, alcohol primarily impacts the liver enzymes ADH and ALDH, which are responsible for metabolizing alcohol into less harmful substances. However, excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption can lead to a buildup of toxic acetaldehyde, which can cause liver damage and disease. Additionally, alcohol can also affect other liver enzymes, such as AST and ALT, which can indicate liver injury or disease.

Sources:
[1] DrugPatentWatch.com. (n.d.). Alcohol and the liver. Retrieved from <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/drug-news/2019/04/01/alcohol-and-the-liver>.
[2] Mayo Clinic. (2021, March 12). Liver enzymes test. Retrieved from <https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/liver-enzymes/about/pac-20385088>.



Follow-up:   Which specific enzymes does alcohol mainly affect in the liver? How does alcohol primarily impact liver enzyme function? Can you name alcohol-related enzymes primarily affected in the liver?





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