BIOCHEMICAL REACTIONS-METABOLISM OF ALCOHOL-MIXED FUNCTION OXIDASE SYSTEM (MEOS)

This series of chemical reactions uses NADPH as a cofactor in the metabolism of ethanol and consists primarily of cytochrome P450 2E1, 1A2, and 3A4.  During chronic alcohol consumption, MEOS activity is induced. As a result, chronic alcohol consumption results in significant increases not only in ethanol metabolism but also in the clearance of other drugs eliminated by the cytochrome P450s that constitute the MEOS system, and in the generation of the toxic byproducts of cytochrome P450 reactions which include toxins, free radicals and hydrogen peroxide.