The consumption of alcohol (ethanol), especially after periods of strenuous acti

Question

The consumption of alcohol (ethanol), especially after periods of strenuous activity or after not eating for several hours, results in a deficiency of glucose in the blood, a condition known as hypoglycemia. The first step in the metabolism of ethanol bý the liver is oxidation to acetaldehyde, catalyzed by iver alcohol dehydrogenase How does this reaction inhibit the transformation of lactate to pyruvate and lead to hypoglycemia? The conversion of lactate to glucose in the muscle is inhibited The conversion of lactate to glucose in the liver is inhibited. The metabolism of both ethanol and lactate requires the same oxidizing agent. NADH slows the conversion of pyruvate to lactate by lactate dehydrogenase. e NADH produced in the liver is depleted during ethanol fermentation.

Explanation / Answer

Increased ethanol consumption can cause increases NADH accumalation (by the above reaction in the liver).

High NADH levels prevent conversion of lactate to pyruvate,a step in gluconeogenesis that at coccurs in the liver.High NADH thus enhances reverse reaction of pyruvate to lactate.

In the liver, lactate is convereted to pyruvate, pyruvate is converted to glucose (gluconeogeneis , part of the Cori cycle). Thus the second option is the answer "The conversion of lactate to glucose in the liver is inhibited".

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse T
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.