Abstract: Background: The enhanced vulnerability of women to develop alcohol-related diseases may be due to their higher blood alcohol levels after drinking, but the mechanism for this effect is debated. Methods: Sixty-five healthy volunteers of both genders drank 0.3 g of ethanol/kg of body weight (as 5%, 10%, or 40% solutions) postprandially. Blood alcohol concentrations were monitored by breath analysis and compared with those after intravenous infusion of the same dose. First-pass metabolism was quantified (using Michaelis-Menten kinetics) as the route-dependent difference in the amount of ethanol reaching the systemic blood. Gastric emptying was assessed by nuclear scanning after intake of 300 μCurie of technetium-labeled diethylene triamine pentacetic acid in 10% ethanol. The activities of alcohol dehydrogenase isozymes were assessed in 58 gastric biopsies, using preferred substrates for γ-ADH (acetaldehyde) and for ς-ADH (m-nitrobenzaldehyde) and a specific reaction of χ-ADH (glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase). Results: Women had less first-pass metabolism than men when given 10% or 40%, but not 5%, alcohol. This was associated with lower gastric χ-ADH activity; its low affinity for ethanol could explain the greater gender difference in first-pass metabolism with high rather than with low concentrations of imbibed alcohol. Alcohol gastric emptying was 42% slower and hepatic oxidation was 10% higher in women. A 7.3% smaller volume of alcohol distribution contributed to the higher ethanol levels in women, but it did not account for the route-dependent effects. Conclusions: The gender difference in alcohol levels is due mainly to a smaller gastric metabolism in females (because of a significantly lesser activity of χ-ADH), rather than to differences in gastric emptying or in hepatic oxidation of ethanol. The concentration-dependency of these effects may explain earlier discrepancies. The combined pharmacokinetic differences may increase the vulnerability of women to the effects of ethanol.

Abstract: Novel acetic acid processes and catalysts have been introduced, commercialized, and improved continuously since the 1950s. The objective of the development of new acetic acid processes has been to reduce raw material consumption, energy requirements, and investment costs. At present, industrial processes for the production of acetic acid are dominated by methanol carbonylation and the oxidation of hydrocarbons such as acetaldehyde, ethylene, n-butane, and naphtha. This paper discusses advances in acetic acid processes and catalysts according to the following routes: (1) methanol carbonylation; (2) methyl formate isomerization; (3) synthesis gas to acetic acid; (4) vapor phase oxidation of ethylene, and (5) other novel technologies.

Abstract: Reaction pathways for the catalytic conversions of acetic acid, ethanol and ethyl acetate over Pt were studied by collecting reaction kinetics data over a Pt/SiO2 catalyst at temperatures from ca. 500 to 600 K, by conducting density functional theory (DFT) calculations for various adsorbed species and transition states on Pt(1 1 1) slabs, and by carrying out reaction kinetic analyses using a kinetic model based on the results from DFT calculations. An equi-molar mixture of CO and CH4 is made from acetic acid. Equi-molar amounts of CO and CH4 are also made from ethanol. Ethane is produced from ethanol and ethyl acetate. Ethanol and acetaldehyde are produced from ethyl acetate. Under all conditions of this study, acetaldehyde and ethanol are present in the reactor effluent as a quasi-equilibrated mixture. General agreement is achieved between the experimental reaction kinetics results and the predictions of the kinetics model for the rates of formation of various products measured. The values of the parameters estimated from reaction kinetic analyses are in good agreement with estimates provided by DFT calculations (within 20 kJ/mol). It appears that the simplified reaction scheme of the present study qualitatively captures the essential surface chemistry involved in the catalytic conversions of acetic acid, ethanol and ethyl acetate over Pt. This simplified reaction scheme can be used to guide further research into the factors that control catalyst selectivity. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess which steps in the reaction scheme exhibit the highest degree of rate control for the catalytic conversions of acetic acid, ethanol, and ethyl acetate over Pt. It appears that the reaction kinetics are controlled by six reactions. Further studies of these transition states may provide insight into how the selectivity for hydrogenation of oxygenated hydrocarbons is affected, for example, by forming metal alloy particles, by changing the geometry of the active sites, and by changing the nature of the active metal component.

Abstract: Ammonia and amines (including amino acids) were shown to catalyze the formation of sugars from formaldehyde and glycolaldehyde, and the subsequent conversion of sugars to carbonylcontaining products under the conditions studied (pH 5.5 and 50 degrees C). Sterically unhindered primary amines were better catalysts than ammonia, secondary amines, and sterically hindered primary amines (i.e. alpha-aminoisobutyric acid). Reactions catalyzed by primary amines initially consumed formaldehyde and glycolaldehyde about 15-20 times faster than an uncatalyzed control reaction. The amine-catalyzed reactions yielded aldotriose (glyceraldehyde), ketotriose (dihydroxyacetone), aldotetroses (erythrose and threose), ketotetrose (erythrulose), pyruvaldehyde, acetaldehyde, glyoxal, pyruvate, glyoxylate, and several unindentified carbonyl products. The concentrations of the carbonyl products, except pyruvate and ketotetrose, initially increased and then declined during the reaction, indicating their ultimate conversion to other products (like larger sugars or pyruvate). The uncatalyzed control reaction yielded no pyruvate or glyoxylate, and only trace amounts of pyruvaldehyde, acetaldehyde and glyoxal. In the presence of 15 mM catalytic primary amine, such as alanine, the rates of triose and pyruvaldehyde of synthesis were about 15-times and 1200-times faster, respectively, than the uncatalyzed reaction. Since previous studies established that alanine is synthesized from glycolaldehyde and formaldehyde via pyruvaldehyde as its direct precursor, the demonstration that the alanine catalyzes the conversion of glycolaldehyde and formaldehyde to pyruvaldehyde indicates that this synthetic pathway is capable of autocatalysis. The relevance of this synthetic process, named the Sugar Model, to the origin of life is discussed.

Abstract: Acetobacter pasteurianus, an obligately oxidative bacterium, is the first organism shown to utilize pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) as a central enzyme for oxidative metabolism. In plants, yeast, and other bacteria, PDC functions solely as part of the fermentative ethanol pathway. During the growth of A. pasteurianus on lactic acid, the central intermediate pyruvate is cleaved to acetaldehyde and CO(2) by PDC. Acetaldehyde is subsequently oxidized to its final product, acetic acid. The presence of the PDC enzyme in A. pasteurianus was confirmed by zymograms stained for acetaldehyde production, enzyme assays using alcohol dehydrogenase as the coupling enzyme, and by cloning and characterization of the pdc operon. A. pasteurianus pdc was also expressed in recombinant Escherichia coli. The level of PDC activity was regulated in response to growth substrate, highest with lactic acid and absent with mannitol. The translated PDC sequence (548 amino acids) was most similar to that of Zymomonas mobilis, an obligately fermentative bacterium. A second operon ( aldA) was also found which is transcribed divergently from pdc. This operon encodes a putative aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALD2; 357 amino acids) related to class III alcohol dehydrogenases and most similar to glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenases from alpha-Proteobacteria and Anabeana azollae.

Abstract: The leaves of trees emit significant amounts of acetaldehyde tion of CAT by aminotriazole did not affect acetaldehyde and which is synthesized there by the oxidation of ethanol. In the ethanol emission, it is concluded that the oxidation of ethanol present study, we examined plant internal and environmental in the leaves is mediated by ADH rather than by CAT. factors controlling the emission of acetaldehyde by the leaves Further studies indicated that aldehyde dehydrogenase of young poplar (Populus tremula×P. alba) trees. The en- (ALDH; EC 1.2.1.5) seems to be responsible for the oxidation zymes possibly involved in the oxidation of ethanol in the of acetaldehyde. The present results demonstrate that acetaldehyde emission is clearly dependent on its production in the leaves of trees are catalase (CAT; EC 1.11.1.6) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH; EC 1.1.1.1), both expressed constitu- leaves as controlled by the delivery of ethanol to the leaves via tively in the leaves of poplars. Inhibition of ADH in excised the transpiration stream. Environmental factors that control stomatal conductance seem to be of less importance for leaves caused a significant decrease of acetaldehyde emission accompanied by an increased ethanol emission. Since inhibi- acetaldehyde emission by the leaves.

Abstract: Acetaldehyde, the first ethanol metabolite, has been suggested to mediate some of the behavioral effects of ethanol and particularly its reinforcing properties, although this later hypothesis remains extremely controversial. While several studies demonstrated the reinforcing effects of brain acetaldehyde, blood acetaldehyde accumulation is believed to be primarily aversive. In the present study, a conditioned reinforcement procedure has been used to investigate the reinforcing and/or aversive effects of intraperitoneal injections of both acetaldehyde and ethanol in Wistar rats. An olfactory stimulus was paired with daily injections of either ethanol (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 g/kg) or acetaldehyde (0, 10, 20, 100 and 150 mg/kg). After eight conditioning sessions, all rats were tested for their stimulus preference or aversion. The results show that conditioning with small, 0.25 and 0.5 g/kg, ethanol doses induced neither preference nor aversion for the olfactory cue. In contrast, higher ethanol doses (1.0 and 2.0 g/kg) resulted in significant stimulus aversions. Acetaldehyde conditioning led to a biphasic stimulus preference, with a maximal preference around 20 mg/kg acetaldehyde. No evidence of aversive effects was found with increasing doses of acetaldehyde, even with concentrations close to the lethal limit. The present study clearly shows that systemic acetaldehyde injections induced significant stimulus preferences. This suggests that acetaldehyde may be, at least in part, responsible for the reinforcing effects of alcohol intake.

Abstract: The heterogeneous reactivity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on oxide particles has been investigated. Oxide particles composed of the most abundant elements present in the Earth's crust were used to identify potentially important reactions of VOCs on mineral dust. In particular, heterogeneous reactions of acetaldehyde, acetone, and propionaldehyde on α-Al2O3, α-Fe2O3, TiO2, CaO, and SiO2 particle surfaces have been investigated. Fourier transform infrared and UV/visible spectroscopic measurements show that these carbonyl compounds weakly and reversibly adsorbed on SiO2. However, on the more basic and acidic oxides investigated, the data show that these carbonyl compounds irreversibly adsorb and can, in part, react on the surface to form larger molecular weight compounds. The kinetics of the heterogeneous reaction of acetaldehyde, acetone, and propionaldehyde on α-Al2O3, α-Fe2O3, TiO2, CaO, and SiO2 were measured with a Knudsen cell reactor at a gas concentration of 6×1010 molecules/cm3. Using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of the powdered sample, initial uptake coefficients were determined to be in the 10−4 to 10−6 range for the adsorption of carbonyl compounds on the oxides at 298 K. By using these values for the uptake coefficient, it is found that the heterogeneous loss of these trace volatile organic compounds is comparable to that due to photolysis and reaction with OH in the middle to upper troposphere. Although surface adsorption can occur, the measured second-order pressure dependence to form higher molecular weight compounds suggests that these reaction products will less likely form under atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: Background: Acute and chronic alcohol intoxication decreases skeletal muscle protein synthesis under in vivo conditions. We investigated whether ethanol (EtOH) and its major metabolites, acetaldehyde and acetate, can directly modulate protein balance under in vitro conditions. Methods: Human myocytes were incubated with different doses of EtOH for varying periods of time (i.e., 4–72 hr). Alternatively, cells were incubated with acetaldehyde, acetate, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), or with a combination of EtOH plus insulin or IGF-I. Rates of protein synthesis or degradation were determined by 35S-methionine/cysteine incorporation into or release from cellular protein. Results: A significant, 15% to 20%, decrease in basal protein synthesis was observed after 24 hr, but not at earlier time points, in response to 80 mM EtOH. Incubation of myocytes for 72 hr decreased synthesis in cells incubated with EtOH ranging between 60 and 120 mM. The ability of IGF-I or insulin to stimulate protein synthesis was impaired by 30% and 60%, respectively, in cells incubated with 80 mM EtOH for 72 hr. Exposure of cells to 200 μM acetaldehyde or 5 mM Na-acetate also decreased basal protein synthesis. In contrast, neither EtOH, acetaldehyde, nor acetate altered the basal rate of protein degradation. However, EtOH completely impaired the ability of insulin and IGF-I to inhibit proteolysis. Finally, EtOH did not impair IGF-I receptor autophosphorylation, but inhibited the ability of insulin to phosphorylate its own receptor. EtOH also did not alter the number of insulin or IGF-I receptors or the formation of insulin/IGF-I hybrid receptors. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that EtOH can directly inhibit muscle protein synthesis under in vitro conditions. Neither EtOH nor its metabolites altered basal protein degradation, although EtOH did compromise the ability of both insulin and IGF-I to slow proteolysis. This impairment seems to be mediated by different defects in signal transduction.

Abstract: Disulfiram is used in the treatment of chronic alcoholism, because of the unpleasant symptoms it provokes after ethanol intake. The underlying mechanism is believed to be the accumulation of acetaldehyde in the blood, due to inhibition of the liver aldehyde dehydrogenases. In addition, it is known that disulfiram also has some neurotoxic properties. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between the pharmacological and neurotoxicological properties of disulfiram with respect to the doses applied. Increasing doses of disulfiram (25, 50, 75, 100 and 150 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally to Wistar rats and the hepatic enzyme activities of alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases were measured. Also, in two brain subregions (midbrain and hypothalamus) the levels of noradrenaline, dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid were determined. The higher dose of disulfiram (150 mg/kg) produced lethal effects in all treated animals. Aldehyde dehydrogenase activities were inhibited by disulfiram in a dose-dependent way, while alcohol dehydrogenase was not affected at all. Concerning the levels of brain biogenic amines, disulfiram produced a significant reduction in noradrenaline and an increase in dopamine levels in both structures of the brain, in a dose-dependent way. However, the lowest dose applied (25 mg/kg) had no effects on brain catecholamines. It is known that high doses of disulfiram may cause severe encephalopathy and peripheral neuropathy in humans, which could be attributed to the impairment of the metabolism of brain biogenic amines, due to inhibition of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. Our experimental data show that disulfiram affects the level of brain biogenic amines at dose levels higher than those inhibiting the activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase. Therefore, in clinical practice 'disulfiram reaction' could still be achieved with a low dosage regimen not producing neurotoxicity

Abstract: Alcohol is, together with tobacco smoke, the main cause for upper GI tract cancer in industrialized countries. However, the tumour-promoting effects of alcohol intake are poorly understood and alcohol itself is not carcinogenic in the animal model. There is increasing evidence that alcohol metabolism, rather than the alcohol itself, generates carcinogenic and cell-toxic compounds. Acetaldehyde, first metabolite of ethanol, is highly toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic. Polymorphisms in the genes coding for enzymes responsible for acetaldehyde accumulation and detoxification have been associated with an increased cancer risk. Acetaldehyde can also be produced in the mucosa and by the physiological microflora. This review summarizes the scientific evidence that alcohol intake leads to a local production of acetaldehyde. It describes the role of the oral microflora, the mucosa and the salivary glands in this process and shows that local acetaldehyde production from ethanol may contribute to the carcinogenesis of alcohol intake in the upper GI tract.

Abstract: Raman spectroscopy is used as an in situ diagnostic to measure the oxidation of ethanol by oxygen in supercritical water. An elementary reaction mechanism based on the work of Marinov is shown to predict accurately many of the experimental observations. Experimental measurements are reported at 24.5 MPa over a temperature range of 410−470 °C in supercritical water with reaction times ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 s. Concentrations of ethanol, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, methanol, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen peroxide are measured as functions of time and temperature. The data show that the formaldehyde is the primary stable organic intermediate. An elementary reaction mechanism, modified for supercritical water conditions and supplemented with key methylperoxyl reactions, is used to interpret the observations. The experimental data are consistent with the purely radical chain oxidation process represented by this mechanism. Analysis of the mechanism identifies the primary oxidation pathway proc...

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing polyesters with a reduced content of free acetaldehyde from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol via a catalyzed polycondensation in the melt and also the use of this method. The method is based thereby on the usage of highly active polycondensation catalysts, on the deactivation of these catalysts by the addition of phosphorous-containing inhibitors and the addition of acetaldehyde-bonding substances. The entire polycondensation is thereby implemented at temperatures beneath 280° C.

Abstract: The effectiveness of applying packed-bed dielectric barrier discharge(PBDBD) technology for removing acetaldehyde from gas streams wasinvestigated. Operating parameters examined in this study include appliedvoltage, oxygen content, and gas-flow rate. Experimental results indicatethat the destruction efficiency of acetaldehyde predominantly depends onthe applied voltage. Removal of 99% of acetaldehyde has been achieved forgas streams containing 1000 ppmv acetaldehyde, 5% oxygen, with nitrogen asthe carrier gas. The oxygen content in the gas stream plays an importantrole in removing acetaldehyde within PBDBD. A higher CH3CHO removalefficiency is achieved for the gas stream containing less oxygen, since itwill dissipate energy due to its electronegative property. Carbon dioxideis the major end product, which is less hazardous to the environment and tohuman health. However, undesirable products, e.g., NO2 and N2O,CH3OC2H5, CH3COOH, CH3NO2,HCN, CH3NO3, and CH3OH, are detected as well.

Abstract: Background: Carcinogenic acetaldehyde is produced from ethanol locally in the upper digestive tract via alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) of oral microbes, mucosal cells, and salivary glands. Acetaldehyde is further oxidized into less harmful acetate mainly by the aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) enzyme. ALDH2-deficiency increases salivary acetaldehyde levels and the risk for upper digestive tract cancer in heavy alcohol drinkers. 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP) is an ADH-inhibitor which could reduce the local production of acetaldehyde from ethanol in the saliva. Methods: Five ALDH2-deficient subjects and six subjects with normal ALDH2 ingested a moderate dose of alcohol (0.4 g/kg of body weight), whereafter their salivary acetaldehyde levels, heart rate, skin temperature, and blood pressure were followed for up to four hours. Blood acetaldehyde and ethanol levels were determined at 60 min. The experiment was repeated after a week. Two hours before the second study day, the volunteers received 4-MP, 10–15 mg/kg of body weight orally. Results: Total ethanol elimination rate decreased with 4-MP by 38–46% in all subjects. 4-MP also reduced blood acetaldehyde levels and suppressed the cardiocirculatory responses of the ALDH2-deficient volunteers. In addition, salivary acetaldehyde production in ALDH2-deficient subjects was significantly reduced when correlated with salivary ethanol levels. On the contrary, 4-MP did not have any effect on salivary or blood acetaldehyde levels in subjects with normal ALDH2. Conclusions: A single dose of 4-MP before ethanol ingestion reduces ethanol elimination rate, the flushing reaction, and both blood and salivary acetaldehyde levels in ALDH2-deficient subjects but not in subjects with the normal ALDH2 genotype. These results suggest that the role of oral mucosal and glandular ADHs in salivary acetaldehyde production is minimal and support earlier findings indicating that salivary acetaldehyde production is mainly of microbial origin in subjects with normal ALDH2.

Abstract: Background Inflammatory mediators, including cytokines and reactive oxygen species, are associated with the pathology of chronic liver disease. Hepatocytes are generally considered as targets but not producers of these important mediators. Objectives To investigate whether cells of hepatocellular lineage are a potential source of various cytokines we estimated the expression and secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha, transforming growth factor beta 1, and interleukins 1 beta, 6 and 8 in the culture of well-differentiated human HepG2 cells treated for 24 hours with ethanol, acetaldehyde and lipopolysaccharide. Lipid peroxidation damage, glutathione content and glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activity were also determined. Methods HepG2 cells were treated for 24 hours with ethanol (50 mM), acetaldehyde (175 microM) and LPS (1 microgram/ml). TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA were determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and secretion by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Lipid peroxidation damage, glutathione content and antioxidant enzyme activities were determined spectrophotometrically. Results Exposure to ethanol for 24 hours induced the expression of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta 1, secretion of IL-1 beta and TGF-beta 1 and decreased catalase activity. Acetaldehyde markedly increased TNF-alpha and IL-8 expression, stimulated IL-1 beta and IL-8 secretion, increased lipid peroxidation damage and decreased catalase activity, while LPS exposure induced the expression of TNF-alpha, TGF-beta 1, IL-6 and IL-8, the secretion of TGF-beta 1, IL-1 beta, IL-6 and IL-8, and a decrease in catalase activity. No change in GSH, GSHPx or SOD was found in any experimental condition. Conclusions The present studies confirm and extend the notion that hepatocytes respond to ethanol, acetaldehyde and LPS-producing cytokines. Oxidative stress produced by the toxic injury plays an important role in this response through up-regulation of inflammatory cytokines.