Metabolism of ethanol in the liver is shown below (major pathway is via the enzy
ID: 177864 • Letter: M
Question
Metabolism of ethanol in the liver is shown below (major pathway is via the enzymes ADH and ALDH). It is estimated that there are 10 million chronic alcoholics in US and approximately 100,000 deaths due to alcohol consumption occur annually. The drunk driving blood alcohol concentrationis typicall ~80 mg/dL. At ~ 200 mg/dL drowsiness occurs. Stupor occurs at ~ 300 mg/dL and coma and possible respiratory arrest at >300 mg/dL. Chronic alcoholics can tolerate as much as 700 mg/dL due to an induction of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. The activity of the following enzyme in the liver will be affected in chronic alcoholism
A. Hexokinase B. Lactate dehydrogenase C. Glycogen synthase D. Glycogen phosphorylase E. None of the above
Explanation / Answer
C. Glycogen synthase
Chronic alcoholism interferes with the glycogen synthesis and protein breakdown. Glycogen synthase is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of glycogen. Alcohol inhibits glycogen synthase, it results in fatty liver.