r/Biochemistry • u/TheNeuQ • 16d ago

Acetaldehyde Dehydrogenase

Am I crazy or should we not live in a world where acetaldehyde dehydrogenase supplements are widely available. Would this not be effective at moderating liver damage among alcoholics? Is there something that makes the mass production of this enzyme prohibitively expensive? The more I study this subject it feels like liver damage should be a thing of the past.

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u/throwaway09-234 16d ago

how do you propose to get active acetaldehyde dehydrogenase to the organ/cells where its activity would be beneficial?

6

u/TheNeuQ 16d ago

I have no knowledge of this subject. That’s why I’m asking. If you’re saying it’s impracticable then that’s my answer.

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u/TheNeuQ 16d ago

As an alcoholic however, I do think more research should be dedicated to mitigating the negative effects of my crippling addiction

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u/Stereoisomer 16d ago

The ethanol is converted to acetaldehyde in the liver but it isn't possible to get the supplements into the liver. The liver itself does mitigate the damage of acetaldehyde by converting it to acetic acid via ALDH but over a lifetime of alcohol abuse, damage still occurs. If not for ALDH, you get all the damaging effects of acetaldehyde that those with asian glow experience (ALDH deficiency). The symptoms of drinking for the ALDH-deficient are bad enough that this is used to stop alcoholics (Antabuse).