Answer:
Ethanol prevents toxicity by competing with Ethylene glycol for metabolism by alcohol dehydrogenase.
Explanation:
Ethylene glycol is an organic compound usually used in antifreeze solutions, solvents and cleaners.
It is abused during self-destruction and accidental intakes.
In the body, ethylene glycol is acted upon by alcohol dehydrogenase and is converted into glycolate and oxalate.
Glycolate and oxalate are both nephrotoxic/ kidney damaging substances. Oxalate precipitates calcium oxalate stones in the kidney. Ethylene glycol poisoning also causes high anion gap metabolic acidosis.
In order to prevent ethylene glycol poisoning, the patient is infused with ethanol, ethanol prevents toxicity by competing with Ethylene glycol for metabolism by alcohol dehydrogenase. In this way, ethylene glycol is not metabolized and the formation of nephrotoxic substances is prevented. Alcohol dehydrogenase instead reacts with ethanol to form acetaldehyde.
Ethanol is given as a treatment for ethylene glycol poisoning because it competes for the same enzyme, alcohol dehydrogenase, that metabolizes ethylene glycol. This slows down the conversion of ethylene glycol into harmful compounds like oxalic acid, thus preventing their buildup in the body.
Explanation:The treatment of the ingestion of ethylene glycol, a toxic substance, with an intravenous solution of ethanol can prevent the buildup of oxalic acid, a harmful compound, in the body. The reason for this is that both ethanol and ethylene glycol are metabolized, or broken down, in the body by the same enzyme: alcohol dehydrogenase. By introducing ethanol into the system, the enzyme is occupied with breaking down the ethanol, slowing down the metabolization of ethylene glycol. This reduces the rate at which ethylene glycol is transformed into harmful acids, including oxalic acid and glycolic acid.
Ethylene glycol is metabolized in the body into glycolaldehyde, which then turns into glyoxylic acid and finally, oxalic acid. Oxalic acid can harm kidneys by forming kidney stones with calcium. It also has the potential to crystallize in the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys, causing damage.
By administering an ethanol solution intravenously, the formation of these harmful acids is inhibited, thereby preventing potential damage or toxicity. It's essential that this is done under a doctor's supervision as too much ethanol can lead to alcohol poisoning.
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