Acetaldehyde inhibits chymotrypsin and serum anti-chymotrypsin activity

Chymotrypsin (CT) and CT-like enzymes contribute to the dynamics of metabolism by their participation in digestion, peptide hormone generation and catabolism, fertilization of ova and inhibition of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation, among other processes. The frequency of pancreatitis is observably higher in alcoholics, and pancreatic enzymes have been associated with localized vascular damage, thrombosis and pancreatic necrosis.

Since CT is a major pancreatic enzyme and may serve as a link between pancreatitis, coagulopathy, and alcoholism, the affect of acetaldehyde (AcH) the primary metabolite of ethanol, upon the enzyme and upon the influence of human serum thereon was studied.

It was observed that CT activity upon glutaryl-L-phenylalanine-b-naphthylamide was inhibited to the extent of 23.7%, 52.5%, and 96.7% by 44.7, 89.4, and 447 mmol/L AcH in a fluorometric assay whereby the enzyme was dialyzed to remove excess AcH prior to assay. The p values were < 0.04. Aliquots of human serum (10 microL, 20 microL, 30 microL, 40 microL, 50 microL, and 100 microL) inhibited 40 micrograms of CT by 13%, 37.7%, 65.3%, 89.8%, and 92.8%, respectively (n = 6; p = < 0.05). The serum did not hydrolyze the fluorogenic substrate. On the other hand, AcH added to serum at 447, 224, 112, or 56 mmol/L resulted in 42.6%, 42.6%, 52.9%, and 60.3% inhibition of CT relative to a 69.1% inhibition of the enzyme by serum alone (n = 6; = p < 0.01).

These data show that AcH clearly decreases the antichymotryptic activity of serum (consisting of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, and alpha 2-macroglobulin). The incomplete inactivation of chymotrypsin by serum and partial inactivation of CT inhibitor(s) by AcH suggest the possibility that CT leaked into the circulation, (in alcoholic pancreatitis) may be available in blood to lower the clotting potential induced by thrombin-activated platelets, and that a greater amount of CT might be available in the blood of alcoholics, thereby contributing, in part, to the prolongation of clotting times.