Methanol is ordinarily removed by the same liver enzyme system that
removes ethanol and so would be expected to exhibit saturation kinetics, similar to
ethanol, if there were no ethanol on board to compete for the enzyme sites.
The liver enzymes convert methanol to formic acid, which is what causes
the damage.
The goal of ethanol therapy is to keep the enzymes completely saturated
with ethanol so that the formation of formic acid is minimized. Under this
condition, the methanol removal is as a passive constituent of urine, sweat,
expired air, and dialysis fluid. These pathways, would not be expected to exhibit
saturation kinetics.
Jon T
------ACB discussion List Information--------
This is an open discussion list for the academic and clinical
community working in clinical biochemistry.
Please note, archived messages are public and can be viewed
via the internet. Views expressed are those of the individual and
they are responsible for all message content.
ACB Web Site
http://www.acb.org.uk
List Archives
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/ACB-CLIN-CHEM-GEN.html
List Instructions (How to leave etc.)
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/
|