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Possible relationship between the rate of ethanol metabolism and the severity of hepatic damage in chronic alcoholics

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Abstract

The rate of ethanol metabolism (EMR) was determined in alcoholic patients with or without hepatic necrosis, steatosis, and/or cirrhosis. Fifty six cases were studied after 9–25 days of abstinence (mean 15 days). A significant increase in EMR (P<0.01) was found in alcoholics with hepatic necrosis (265±20.5 mg/kg/hr) compared with alcoholics with normal liver histology (154±17) and nonalcoholic controls (159±15). In alcoholics with liver steatosis but without necrosis a lesser increase in EMR (207±20,P<0.05) was also observed. Patients with slight fibrosis but without other abnormalities in their liver biopsies and cirrhotics with overt liver failure (jaundice, ascites) showed EMR similar to controls.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile, South Santiago

    Guillermo Ugarte MD, Hernán Iturriaga MD & Tamara Pereda PhD

  2. Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, South Santiago

    Guillermo Ugarte MD, Hernán Iturriaga MD & Tamara Pereda PhD

Authors
  1. Guillermo Ugarte MD
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  2. Hernán Iturriaga MD
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  3. Tamara Pereda PhD
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Ugarte, G., Iturriaga, H. & Pereda, T. Possible relationship between the rate of ethanol metabolism and the severity of hepatic damage in chronic alcoholics. Digest Dis Sci 22, 406–410 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01071886

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