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alcohol dehydrogenase
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alcohol dehydrogenase

enzyme
Also known as: ADH
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Quick Summary

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) is an enzyme found in the liver that plays a crucial role in detoxifying alcohol. It catalyzes the oxidation of ethanol into acetaldehyde, which is then further processed into acetic acid. This process requires a coenzyme, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). While this mechanism effectively handles ethanol, the oxidation of other alcohols can produce more toxic substances. In cases of methanol or ethylene glycol poisoning, ethanol can be administered to competitively inhibit ADH, allowing the kidneys to excrete the toxic alcohols before they are converted into harmful compounds.12

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3 Britannica Sources
  1. alcohol - Biological oxidation
  2. alcohol consumption - Processing in the liver
  3. alcohol consumption - Long-term health effects of drinking

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