Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2025
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
246
Zanamivir alleviates ethanol intoxication through activating catalase
Zhanghui Guan1, Dong Tian1, Menghan Wang1
1School of Pharmacy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
Toxicology Letters
|February 23, 2025
Summary
Zanamivir, an antiviral drug, activates catalase to accelerate alcohol breakdown. This repurposing shows promise in treating alcohol intoxication and protecting liver function.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Acute alcohol intoxication presents significant health risks.
- Catalase (CAT) enzyme oxidizes ethanol, accelerating its removal.
- Identifying novel activators for CAT is crucial for developing treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate zanamivir as a potential activator of catalase.
- To explore zanamivir's efficacy in an animal model of acute alcohol intoxication.
Main Methods:
- Screened clinical chemicals for catalase activation in vitro.
- Induced acute alcohol intoxication in female KunMing mice.
- Assessed behavioral changes, serum ethanol metabolites, and liver redox indexes.
Main Results:
- Zanamivir enhanced catalase activity, reducing blood ethanol levels.
- Zanamivir increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), while decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA), mitigating oxidative stress.
- Zanamivir improved drunkenness, reduced liver enzymes (AST, ALT), and lactic acid (LD), indicating liver protection.
Conclusions:
- Zanamivir demonstrates potential for repurposing to treat alcohol intoxication.
- The findings suggest zanamivir can accelerate ethanol metabolism and protect against alcohol-induced liver damage.
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