OVERVIEW OF ALCOHOL METABOLISM

Ethanol, an alcohol, found in nature and in alcoholic drinks, is metabolized through a complex catabolic metabolic pathway. In humans, several enzymes are involved in processing ethanol first into Acetaldehyde and further into acetic acid and acetyl-coA (acetate and coenzyme A). Once acetyl-coA is formed, it becomes a substrate for the citric acid cycle ultimately producing cellular energy and releasing water and carbon dioxide. Gene variation in these enzymes can lead to variation in catalytic efficiency between individuals. The liver is the major organ that metabolizes alcohol due to its high concentration of these enzymes.