The acute effect of alcohol on hepatic coenzyme A and acetyl CoA concentrations.

SummarySince prior studies of the effect of alcohol on hepatic coenzyme A (CoA) and acetyl-CoA concentrations have yielded conflicting data, this investigation aimed to assess in detail the acute effect of alcohol on the concentration of these substances in liver. Rats and mice were given various loads of alcohol and, at selected time intervals, hepatic CoA and Acetyl CoA concentrations were determined and correlated with blood alcohol levels.The present study clearly shows that alcohol given acutely does not alter significantly hepatic CoA content and results in a normal or somewhat increased acetyl-CoA concentration in the liver. Acetaldehyde likewise failed to influence significantly the hepatic CoA concentration. We conclude that the acute depressive effect of alcohol on the hepatic citric acid cycle is not exerted at the CoA-acetyl-CoA level.