title: Inhibitory effect of disulfiram (Antabuse) on alcohol dehydrogenase activity.
abstract: We investigated the effect of disulfiram (Antabuse) on the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.1) in vitro. We observed a time-dependent inhibition of this dehydrogenase by disulfiram and diethyldithiocarbamate similar to that obtained for aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3). These results suggest a possible explanation for various side effects observed in the clinical use of Antabuse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Veteran's Administration Medical Center, Wichita, KS 67218.
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Carper
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Dorey
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Beber
mesh_terms: D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000818:Animals; D004221:Disulfiram / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004229:Dithiothreitol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004050:Ditiocarb / Q000494:pharmacology; D006736:Horses; D007700:Kinetics; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin; D004050:Ditiocarb; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase; D004229:Dithiothreitol; D004221:Disulfiram