Metabolism of Ethanol, Acetaldehyde, and Condensation Products

Abstract Although small amounts of ethanol may be formed endogenously from yeast and bacteria in the gut (Krebs and Perkins, 1970), ethanol is primarily an exogenous compound that is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Some of the ingested ethanol may be excreted in the breath, sweat, and urine; however, more than 90% of the ethanol is removed by oxidation (Holford, 1987). The predominant role of the liver in ethanol oxidation has been demonstrated in many studies (Larsen, 1959; Lundsgaard, 1938; Winkler et al., 1969). The major metabolic pathways for ethanol oxidation are found to the largest extent in the liver. These pathways all oxidize ethanol to acetaldehyde, which is subsequently oxidized to acetate.