Common Biological Effects of Alcohol

Alcohol Poisoning

How does it occur?
Section of the Brain which is affected by alcohol: 1st is the CEREBRUM followed by the CEREBELLUM and finally the MEDULLA.

CEREBRUM controls :- recognition, vision, reasoning, emotion
CEREBELLUM controls :- co-ordination, reflexes, balance
MEDULLA controls :- Basic Survival Functions such as breathing & heart rate.

Lethal dose of alcohol: Blood alcohol content of 0.4%

However the lethal dose varies. It depends on the gender and on the person itself (e.g. non-drinker vs virgin drinker, hydartion level of person and etc.)

* The human body is only able to oxidise about an ounce of alcohol an hour. This oxidation rate also depends on how fast you drink and what is in your stomach prior to drinking. It may take about 30-90 minutes to reach the highest level of intoxication. Therefore, it is very dangerous to leave an unconscious drunk to 'sleep it off'.

Symptoms of alcohol poisoning
- Vomitting
- Seizures
- Slow & irregular breathing (fewer than 8 breaths/min)
- Hypothermia, bluish skin colour, paleness
- Mental confusion, stupor, coma or person can't be roused

If left untreated
- Victim chokes on vomit
- Breathing slows, becomes irregular, or stops
- Heart beats irregularly or stops
- Hypothermia
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar, body's inability to produce glucose from pyruvate)
- Dehydration from vomitting which may lead to seizures, brain damage or death

Treatment of Alcohol Poisoning
Treatment involves supportive care while your body rids itself of the alcohol
- Careful monitoring (Recovery position, clear vomit from mouth)
- Airway protection
- Oxygen therapy
- Administration of fluids intraveneously to prevent dehydration

Sources:
Alcohol Poisoning "http://www.unm.edu/~shc1/htalcoholpoison.html"
Alcohol Poisoning "http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcohol-poisoning/DS000861/DSECTION=7"
Facts about Alcohol Poisoning "http://www.collegedrinkingpreventation.gov/OtherAlcoholInformation/factsAboutAlcoholPoisoning.aspx"

Chemical Breakdown of Alcohol

- NAD+ is reduced to NADH when alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde
- Increased concentration of NADH affects conversion of lactate into pyruvate because it is dependent on a higher concentration of NAD+ than NADH
- Therefore, lactate is produced instead of pyruvate
- Since there is a lower concentration of pyruvate, less glucose is produced through Gluconeogenesis

Leads to:-
Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) : Mild form - Sweating & Dizziness
Severe form - Coma & Death
Lactic Acidosis (occurs when increased synthesis of lactate which results in a drop of pH lvl in blood)
: Coma & Death

- NAD+ is reduced to NADH when alcohol is converted into acetaldehyde
- NADH produced supplies it's electrons to the ETC which in turn produces ATP
- It therefore replaces NADH produced when fatty acid is converted into Acetyl CoA
- Leads to build-up of fatty acids
- NADH produced also disrupts the Citric Acid Cycle which leads to a build-up of Acetyl CoA.
- Acetyl CoA is converted back to fatty acids which ultimately converts back to Triacylglycerols which accumulate in the liver.

Leads to:-
Fatty Liver : Build-up of Triacylglycerols in liver (Fatty Liver)
Fat droplets accumulate which increases the size of the liver & damages the liver's organelles
(esp. mitochondria)
Hyperlipemia : Build-up in fat in liver leads to increased secretion of fat into blood
Known risk factor for heart disease
High Blood Cholesterol : Fats secreted in blood contains cholesterol
Known risk factor for heart disease
Alcoholic Hepatitis : Inflammation of liver cells lead to loss of liver function
Detected through presence of liver enzymes & compounds in blood
Cirrhosis (Severe form of fibrosis) : Growth of fibrous scar tissue leading to loss of liver functon