Introduction

• Ethanol is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid with a slight characteristic odor.
• Chemical formula – C₂H₆O
• Is the principal active ingredient found in alcoholic drinks.
• Ethanol is considered a universal solvent, as its molecular structure allows for the dissolving of both polar, hydrophilic and non-polar, hydrophobic

 

figure 1

Synonyms

Absolute alcohol
alcohol
cologne spirit
drinking alcohol
ethyl alcohol

ethyl hydrate
ethyl hydroxide
ethylol
grain alcohol
hydroxyethane
methylcarbino

Sources

Ethanol can be fermented from many sources of starch, including:

• Corn
• Wheat
• Grain sorghum
• Barley
• Potatoes
• Sugar cane
• Sweet sorghum

Structures

figure 2

History

• Started being used in the U.S as lamp fuel in 1840.
• In 1908, Ford Model T’s could be run on ethanol
• When prohibition started in 1920, ethanol fuel sellers were suspected of selling alcohol, so they stopped the production.
• The fermentation of sugar into ethanol is one of the earliest organic reactions that man learned to carry out and the history of man-made ethanol is very long.
• Read More:  https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biofuels/ethanol.php

 

Uses

figure 3

Medical :

• Antiseptic
• Antidote
• Medicinal solvent
• Pharmacology

Recreational

Fuel :

• Engine fuel
• Rocket fuel
• Household heating

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Solvent

Drinks

Mechanism of action of alcohol

• Is a CNS depressants
• Acute alcohol causes:

–Enhancement the effect of GABA( inhibitory neurotransmitter) on its GABA receptors in brain leading to CNS depression

-Inhibition of glutamate action (excitatory neurotransmitter) on NMDA receptors leading to disruption in memory, consciousness, alterness.

figure 4

Read more: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/ethanol

Metabolism

The primary site of ethanol metabolism is the liver. However, other organs are also able to metabolize alcohol, but to a lesser degree. These include the kidneys, lungs, and digestive organs.

Read more: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3484320/

Toxicokinetics

Absporbtion

• GI tract (small intestine) when ingested
• Lungs when inhaled
• Sometimes absorbed by the skin.

Distribution

• Ethanol is distributed equally throughout the body depending on:
  • the amount of water in that area.
  • blood flow to that area
  • tissue mass

Metabolism:

• Via liver

Elimination:

• Typically via breath, breast milk, urine, sweat, saliva, feces.

Symptoms

figure 5

Alcohol poisoning signs and symptoms include:

• Confusion
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Slow breathing (less than eight breaths a minute)
• Irregular breathing (a gap of more than 10 seconds between breaths)
• Blue-tinged skin or pale skin
• Low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Passing out (unconsciousness) and can’t be awakened

Treatments

• Careful monitoring
• Prevention of breathing or choking problems
• Oxygen therapy
• Fluids given through a vein (intravenously) to prevent dehydration
• Use of vitamins and glucose to help prevent serious complications of alcohol poisoning

Complications

Severe complications can result from alcohol poisoning, including:

• • Choking
  • Stopping breathing (asphyxiation)
  • Severe dehydration
  • Seizures
  • Hypothermia
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Brain damage
  • Death

Dangerous myths

You can’t reverse the effects of alcohol poisoning, and you could actually make things worse through some actions. Here’s what doesn’t work:

• • • Sleeping it off — you can lose consciousness while asleep
    • Black coffee or caffeine ― this does not counteract the effects of alcohol poisoning
    • A cold shower — the shock of cold can cause a loss of consciousness
    • Walking it off ― this does not increase the speed at which alcohol leaves your body

Prevention

To avoid alcohol poisoning:

• Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all
• Don’t drink on an empty stomach
• Communicate with your teens
• Store products safely
• Get follow-up care

References

1. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Database. Ethanol, CID=702, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Ethanol (accessed on July 7, 2020)
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol
3.  “Ethanol – Compound Summary”. The PubChem Project. USA: National Center for Biotechnology Information.
4. figure 1, 2: https://www.nutrientsreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Ethanol-structure.jpg
5. figure 3;<https://sites.google.com/site/wikilabblog/li>
6. figure 4 ;<https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/183708/li>
7. figure 5 ;<https://www.evergreendrugrehab.com/blog/alcohol-poisoning-symptoms-risks-prevention//li>