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Ashley
Lv 5
Ashley asked in HealthDiseases & ConditionsRespiratory Diseases · 1 decade ago

Can ethanol dehydrogenase in pseudomonas aeruginosa effect alcohol breakdown in humans?

I have Cystic Fibrosis, and have noticed that often, when drinking alcohol, I breakdown the alcohol quicker than anyone else (and quicker than I would have expected). As an example, the other night I drank 15 units in about 2 hours, and 1 hour later I was almost completely sober.

I searched the internet to see if Cystic fibrosis can effect ethanol breakdown, and the google results constistently came up with the fact that pseudomonas aeruginosa has a type of quinoprotein ethanol dehydrogenase in it. I grow pseudomonas aeruginosa on my lungs always (have all my life), and so wondered whether the ethanol dehydrogenase present could have an affect on the alcohol in me?

I mean, there is clearly alcohol present in the air in my lungs that I breath out, and pseudomonas aeruginosa has ethanol dehydrogenase in it, so is it breaking down the ethanol and making me sober!? I wish it wouldn't!

Thanks for your help in advance!

Update:

To alcatraz:

No, I haven't. I was just about sober though, I know when I am and when I'm not, and it happens all the time. I am often nearly sober before coming home after a night out, whatever I've had to drink. But, thanks for your answer anyway! I think I might buy one of those testers that you can get, the cheapy breathalisers, and try it out. Do an evening of drinking and record the alcohol level throughout the night, compared with units taking in, and possibly compare it with another persons level. Oh, and I know what your thinking: Yes, I am THAT sad.

Update 2:

Modest M:

Thanks for the response. I cant email you, so I am replying via this.

I think that NADP levels would have more effect on me, personally, then any comorbidities, as the only other thing I have is the pseudomonas infection, which is kept under control, nothing else. I have one of the best lung functions at my hospital, and always have. I am incredibly healthy for a CF patient at my age.

I also feel 15 units is not excessive, as I dont do it often! I rarely go out, I dont have time (vet student). Just because ethanol sounds bad, doesn't mean it is. Everything is a poison, just in different amounts. Chocolate is, potato buds are particularly and of course salt is. I can find things like salt and limonene in everthing from shampoo and soap to sweets!

Why would alcohol effect my lungs long term?

Lastly, breathylisers measure the blood alcohol, yes, but by measuring the air alcohol level. The ratio is 2100:1 (blood:air) alcohol level. So, it WILL tell me the level.

Ashley

Update 3:

Sorry, but just to prove the point that somethings can have more than one use (like ethanol does), here limonene is in chocolate:

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6200625.html

and it is also used in insecticides and as a solvent for cleaning.

I dont like it when people assume somethings bad, because it is a 'chemical'. Everything is either a chemical or mix of chemicals, that doesn't make it bad.

2 Answers

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  • modest m
    1 decade ago
    Favourite answer

    Ashley,

    I have a lot of knowledge metabolism. I think that I would be a fool to focus on the NADP+ levels having an effect on your alcohol intake vs. the fact that you have a chronic disease that comes with cormorbidities if you don't take care of yourself.

    Why are you drinking--and such amounts? That is the only body you are going to get. Alcohol is a poison. I did find ironic that you used the word ethanol in your question-- the same word that you on a sticker at the gas pump.

    My answer to your question is that it all has a very negative, detrimental effect on your lungs, your internal organs, your brain, you well being, etc. I can't imagine the effect on your already-compromised lungs if you have a different smell than if someone without CF were to drink and would just have the smell of alcohol on their breath.

    No Breathalyzer test is going to measure these intricate levels in your lungs, because it is a blood-alcohol test.

    Please take care of yourself. Stay off of the sauce. Enjoy your life.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    have you actually drunk this much ,and took a legitimate breathalyser test to prove this? sorry for answering a question with a question,but just curious?

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