ISSN:
1471-4159
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract— The enzymes catalysing ethanol metabolism, alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.l.1.1) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3), were assayed in a variety of neural and somatic tissues of the rat, the human counterparts of which are known to be vulnerable to excessive ethanol. The activity of alcohol dehydrogenase was assayed by the coupled oxidation of ethanol and reduction of lactaldehyde, a method which we have recently found to be sufficiently sensitive and specific to measure the relatively low levels of activity in whole brain. Detectable activities of these enzymes were found in peripheral nerve, skeletal muscle, retina, optic nerve and various regions of brain, as well as in a variety of non-neural tissues. The levels of the enzymic activities in all tissues were markedly lower than those of liver, but probably sufficient to perform a local function in the metabolism of ethanol or other endogenous substrates. The activity of alcohol dehydrogenase in the various tissues, like that of liver, was confined to the cytosol and exhibited kinetic properties and responses to inhibitors almost identical to those of the liver enzyme. We consider the results to be consistent with the hypothesis that the pathological effects of alcohol may be related, at least in part, to local mechanisms for the metabolism of alcohol.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-4159.1972.tb01337.x
Permalink
