Ethanol For The Ethanol For The Treatment of Treatment of

Methanol Methanol PoisoningPoisoning

Members: Members: 李海仙 李海仙 Dora 2004050198Dora 2004050198 黄丽慧 黄丽慧 Lilis 2004053907Lilis 2004053907 潘永辉 潘永辉 Pamk 2004050194Pamk 2004050194 李深 李深 Martin 2004050206Martin 2004050206

BackgroundBackground

In China, there has been many death In China, there has been many death cases of methanol poisoning reported. cases of methanol poisoning reported. Almost all cases reported are caused by Almost all cases reported are caused by ingestion of ingestion of fake alcoholfake alcohol (methanol)(methanol) as a as a substitution of substitution of common alcoholcommon alcohol (ethanol).(ethanol). Ethanol is also a Ethanol is also a highly toxichighly toxic compound ; compound ; however, it has often been used as an however, it has often been used as an antidoteantidote for methanol poisoning. for methanol poisoning. Therefore, we conduct this experiment to Therefore, we conduct this experiment to verify the verify the efficacyefficacy of ethanol in treating of ethanol in treating methanol poisoning.methanol poisoning.

Mechanism of Methanol Mechanism of Methanol ToxicityToxicity

Methanol is Methanol is readily absorbedreadily absorbed into the bo into the body. The metabolism of methanol is carridy. The metabolism of methanol is carried out in the ed out in the liverliver by the enzyme by the enzyme Alcohol Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH).Dehydrogenase (ADH). It can be metabol It can be metabolized to highly toxic compoundsized to highly toxic compounds (formald (formaldehyde and formic acid)ehyde and formic acid) that are responsi that are responsible for the acidosis and blindness characble for the acidosis and blindness characteristic of methanol poisoning and even teristic of methanol poisoning and even death.death.

Metabolism of MethanolMetabolism of Methanol

Treatment with EthanolTreatment with Ethanol Ethanol is a Ethanol is a competitive inhibitorcompetitive inhibitor of ADH. It’s of ADH. It’s

affinity for ADH is 10-20 times affinity for ADH is 10-20 times greater thangreater than that of methanol. Ethanol slows the rate of that of methanol. Ethanol slows the rate of methanol’s conversion to formaldehyde and methanol’s conversion to formaldehyde and formic acid, allowing the body time to excrete formic acid, allowing the body time to excrete methanol in the breath and urine.methanol in the breath and urine.

Methanol

Formaldehyde

Formic Acid

Ethanol

--

ADH

Experimental ProcedureExperimental Procedure

Groups: Groups: 2020 micemice divided into divided into 5 groups5 groupsAdministration route: Administration route: intragastricintragastric ( ( 灌灌

胃胃 ))Group A is for preliminary experiment to Group A is for preliminary experiment to

determine the minimum lethal dose of determine the minimum lethal dose of methanol in mice. methanol in mice.

The minimum lethal dose obtained is 0.1The minimum lethal dose obtained is 0.150ml/10g .50ml/10g .

Methods (cont’d)Methods (cont’d)

GroupGroup AntidoteAntidoteDose Dose (ml/10g)(ml/10g)

Death Death TimeTime

BB ---- ---- ??

CC 40% Ethanol40% Ethanol 0.061 0.061 ??

DD 60% Ethanol60% Ethanol 0.0610.061 ??

EE Folic AcidFolic Acid 2.255mg/ml 2.255mg/ml ??

ResultsResults

GroupGroupAntidotAntidot

ee

Average Average Intoxication Intoxication Time (min)Time (min)

Average Average Death Time Death Time

(min)(min)

BB ---- 3939 7676

CC40% 40%

EthanolEthanol 4444 105105

DD60% 60%

EthanolEthanol 6464 ----

EEFolic Folic AcidAcid 6666 ----

DiscussionDiscussion

The results showed that the death The results showed that the death time of the 40% Ethanol group time of the 40% Ethanol group (105min) is (105min) is longer thanlonger than the death the death time of the blank group (76min). time of the blank group (76min).

No deathNo death observed in the 60% Ethanol observed in the 60% Ethanol group and Folic Acid group.group and Folic Acid group.

The death time of the methanol-The death time of the methanol-poisoned mice has been poisoned mice has been delayeddelayed. This . This has proven that ethanol is has proven that ethanol is effectiveeffective in in treating methanol poisoning.treating methanol poisoning.

Discussion (cont’d)Discussion (cont’d)

From the experiment, we’ve found out From the experiment, we’ve found out that ethanol that ethanol doesdoes relieve methanol relieve methanol poisoning. However, excess ethanol poisoning. However, excess ethanol has a certain side effects to our body. has a certain side effects to our body. From here, we can actually conduct a From here, we can actually conduct a further studyfurther study to create an ethanol-like to create an ethanol-like drug with its drug with its side effects decreasedside effects decreased but but still havingstill having the the competitive functioncompetitive function with methanol.with methanol.

------ Great discovery. Great discovery.