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The toxicity of methanol.

T R Tephly1

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.

Life Sciences
|January 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary

Methanol toxicity causes acidosis and blindness in humans and monkeys due to formic acid buildup. This occurs because of low hepatic tetrahydrofolate (H4 folate), hindering formate metabolism.

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Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Biochemistry
  • Metabolism

Background:

  • Methanol toxicity presents with a latent period, metabolic acidosis, and ocular toxicity in humans and primates, unlike most animals.
  • Formic acid accumulation is identified as the cause of acidosis and blindness in susceptible species.
  • This accumulation is linked to deficiencies in formate metabolism, particularly low hepatic tetrahydrofolate (H4 folate).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of folic acid-dependent pathways in regulating methanol toxicity.
  • To elucidate the biochemical basis for species-specific differences in methanol poisoning.
  • To highlight the correlation between hepatic H4 folate levels and formate oxidation rates.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on methanol metabolism and toxicity.
  • Analysis of species-specific differences in hepatic enzyme levels and metabolic pathways.
  • Correlation analysis between hepatic H4 folate concentrations and formate oxidation rates.

Main Results:

  • Humans and monkeys exhibit low hepatic H4 folate levels and reduced formate oxidation rates.
  • Formate accumulation occurs in humans and monkeys following methanol exposure.
  • Formate itself can induce blindness in monkeys, independent of metabolic acidosis.
  • Low hepatic 10-formyl H4 folate dehydrogenase levels were also observed in susceptible species.

Conclusions:

  • Folic acid-dependent reactions are critical in regulating methanol toxicity.
  • Deficiencies in hepatic H4 folate and 10-formyl H4 folate dehydrogenase contribute to formate accumulation and toxicity.
  • Understanding these metabolic pathways offers insights into preventing and treating methanol poisoning.

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