Acute ethanol intoxication has become an alarming health problem. In the present study, we discover the beneficial effect of lamivudine on alcoholism in mice. Our results indicate that lamivudine decreases serum alcohol concentration dramatically, and potently activates acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) to accelerate the conversion of acetaldehyde to acetic acid, which is finally metabolized by tricarboxylic acid cycle to be CO2 and H2O. Also, lamivudine significantly improves symptoms post drinking, such as prolonging alcohol tolerance time and shortening sobering time, as well as reducing the death rate. This work will provide new strategies for the prevention and treatment of acute alcoholism.
Keywords: Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase; Alcoholism; Lamivudine; Tricarboxylic acid cycle.
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