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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
08:37
Assessment of Glutamine as a Fuel Source for Alveolar Macrophages Exposed to Chronic Ethanol Using an Extracellular Flux Bioanalyzer
Published on: November 15, 2024
[Alcoholic ketoacidosis].
B Mihai1, Cristina Lăcătuşu, Mariana Graur
1Universitatea de Medicină si Farmacie Gr T Popa Iaşi, Facultatea de Medicină, Centrul Clinic de Diabet, Nutriţie si Boli Metabolice.
Summary
Alcoholic ketoacidosis, a metabolic acidosis from alcohol abuse, starvation, and vomiting, is treatable. Prompt hydration with dextrose saline improves patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pathophysiology
- Endocrinology
Context:
- Alcoholic ketoacidosis (AKA) is an acute metabolic acidosis.
- It predominantly affects individuals with chronic alcohol abuse, binge drinking, and poor nutritional intake.
- AKA is precipitated by starvation, glycogen depletion, ethanol metabolism altering NADH/NAD+ ratio, and dehydration, leading to ketogenesis.
Purpose:
- To describe the pathophysiology of alcoholic ketoacidosis.
- To outline diagnostic features.
- To emphasize treatment strategies and prognosis.
Summary:
- AKA presents with elevated serum ketones and a high anion gap metabolic acidosis.
- The condition arises from a complex interplay of metabolic disturbances induced by alcohol consumption and nutritional deprivation.
- Key contributing factors include ethanol metabolism, hormonal responses to starvation, and volume depletion.
Impact:
- Understanding the mechanisms of AKA is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective management.
- Early and aggressive treatment, primarily with intravenous dextrose solutions, leads to favorable patient prognoses.
- This highlights the importance of recognizing AKA as a distinct clinical entity in patients with alcohol use disorder.
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