Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Experiment Videos

Abnormal haem biosynthesis in chronic alcoholics.

K E McColl, M R Moore, G G Thompson

    European Journal of Clinical Investigation
    |December 1, 1981
    PubMed
    Summary

    Chronic alcohol use alters key enzymes in heme biosynthesis, potentially causing cutaneous hepatic porphyria and sideroblastic anemia. These enzyme changes normalize after alcohol withdrawal.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Polycystic ovary syndrome: associations with cardiovascular disease.

    Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society·2023
    Same author

    Hip arthroplasty practice across the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) over the last decade.

    Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England·2023
    Same author

    The effect of non-oncology drugs on clinical and genomic risk in early luminal breast cancer.

    ESMO open·2022
    Same author

    Evaluation of the 1st metatarso-sesamoid joint using standing CT - The Stanmore classification.

    Foot and ankle surgery : official journal of the European Society of Foot and Ankle Surgeons·2018
    Same author

    Israel transcutaneous bilirubin nomogram predicts significant hyperbilirubinemia.

    Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association·2017
    Same author

    Use of an anaesthesia workstation barrier device to decrease contamination in a simulated operating room.

    British journal of anaesthesia·2017
    JoVE
    x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
    ABOUT JoVE
    OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
    AUTHORS
    Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
    LIBRARIANS
    TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
    RESEARCH
    JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
    EDUCATION
    JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
    Terms & Conditions of Use
    Privacy Policy
    Policies

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Hematology
    • Toxicology

    Background:

    • Chronic alcohol ingestion is linked to various health issues, including porphyria and anemia.
    • Heme biosynthesis is a critical pathway affected by toxic substances and metabolic disorders.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the impact of chronic alcohol consumption and withdrawal on specific enzymes involved in heme biosynthesis.
    • To elucidate the biochemical mechanisms underlying alcohol-induced cutaneous hepatic porphyria and sideroblastic anemia.

    Main Methods:

    • Enzyme activities of delta-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA) synthase, ALA dehydratase, coproporphyrinogen oxidase, uroporphyrinogen-1-synthase, uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, and ferrochelatase were measured.
    • Enzyme activity was assessed in peripheral leucocytes and erythrocytes of chronic alcoholics during withdrawal and compared to control subjects.

    Main Results:

    • Alcohol withdrawal led to increased ALA synthase activity and decreased ALA dehydratase and uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activities, normalizing within 10-20 days.
    • Two anemic patients showed depressed ferrochelatase activity, iron, and porphyrin accumulation, which resolved upon alcohol cessation.
    • Elevated ALA synthase and inhibited uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity explain alcohol-precipitated cutaneous hepatic porphyria.

    Conclusions:

    • Alcohol withdrawal normalizes heme biosynthesis enzyme activities disrupted by chronic alcohol use.
    • Inhibition of ferrochelatase activity is proposed as the biochemical basis for alcohol-related sideroblastic anemia.
    • The study clarifies the enzymatic mechanisms linking chronic alcohol intake to specific hematological disorders.

    Related Experiment Videos