Alcohol metabolism plays a critical role in determining the effects of alcohol on the human body. Understanding the key features of alcohol metabolism is essential for understanding the factors influencing alcohol's impact, variations in alcohol tolerance, and the potential health consequences associated with excessive alcohol intake. Alcohol metabolism primarily occurs in the liver, where two main pathways are responsible for its metabolism: the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) pathway and microsomal ethanol oxidizing system (MEOS) pathway. The ADH pathway is the dominant route for the metabolism at low to moderate alcohol concentrations. ADH enzymes convert alcohol into acetaldehyde, a toxic metabolite, which is further broken down by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymes into acetic acid. Acetic acid then enters the citric acid cycle, where it is metabolized to produce ATP. The MEOS pathway becomes more active with higher alcohol concentrations and involves the induction of cytochrome P450 enzymes. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzymes are a family of enzymes that catalyse the conversion of alcohol to acetaldehyde. There are several ADH isoenzymes, with ADH1B and ADH1C being the most important in alcohol metabolism. Variations in these genes can influence rates of alcohol metabolism and alcohol tolerance among individuals. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymes then convert acetaldehyde into acetic acid, with ALDH2 being the primary enzyme involved. Genetic variations in ALDH2 gene can result in reduced enzyme activity, leading to acetaldehyde accumulation. Several factors influence alcohol metabolism, including gender, age, genetic factors, and the presence of other substances. Men tend to have higher ADH activity, leading to faster alcohol metabolism compared to women. Age also affects alcohol metabolism, as the liver's efficiency decreases with age, resulting in slower metabolism and increased alcohol sensitivity. Genetic factors, such as variations in ADH and ALDH alleles, can also significantly impact alcohol metabolism rates and tolerance levels. Additionally, the simultaneous presence of other drugs or medications can interfere with alcohol metabolism, potentially leading to adverse effects. The rate at which alcohol is metabolized determines blood alcohol concentration (BAC). On average, the human body metabolizes alcohol at a rate of about 0.015 grams per decilitre (g/dL) per hour, equivalent to one standard drink. However, this rate can vary based on individual factors such as body weight, metabolism, liver health, and the presence of food in the stomach, each of which can affect the rate of alcohol elimination. Excessive alcohol consumption and impaired alcohol metabolism can have severe health consequences. The accumulation of acetaldehyde due to inefficient ALDH enzymes can lead to alcohol flush reaction, characterized by facial flushing, rapid heartbeat, and nausea. Prolonged alcohol abuse results in liver damage, including alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Additionally, the toxic effects of acetaldehyde can cause DNA damage, contributing to the development of alcohol-related cancers. We offer a large product range of research tools for investigating alcohol metabolism, including AKR1A1 antibodies, ALDH2 antibodies, ALDH3A1 antibodies, ALDH1B1 antibodies, and beta glucuronidase (GUSB) ELISA Kits. Explore our full alcohol metabolism product range below and discover more, for less.