Age, alcohol metabolism and liver disease.
OBJECTIVE
Alcohol consumption among the elderly has increased. Alcohol metabolism changes with age and the elderly are more sensitive to the toxic effects; this increased consumption is therefore of great clinical relevance.


RESULTS
Metabolism of ethanol changes with advancing age because activity of the enzymes involved, such as alcohol and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase and cytochrome P-4502E1, diminish with age. The water distribution volume also decreases with age. Both lead to increased blood concentrations of ethanol. Also, elderly people take more drugs, and ethanol and these drugs may interact; therefore, alcohol consumption can modify serum drug concentrations and their toxicity. Finally, elderly people may suffer more frequently from other types of liver disease, and alcohol may exacerbate these.


CONCLUSIONS
Over recent decades alcohol consumption has increased among those who are older than 65 years. Alcohol is more toxic in the ageing organism because of changes in its metabolism, distribution and elimination, which lead to central nervous system effects at lower levels of intake; also, ageing organs such as brain and liver are more sensitive to the toxicity of alcohol. For these reasons, alcohol should be used in moderation, especially among those of older age.
Meier
Patrick
P
Department of Medicine and Laboratory of Alcohol Research, Liver Disease and Nutrition, Salem Medical Centre, Heidelberg, Germany.
Seitz
Helmut K
HK
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; D004347:Drug Interactions; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000378:metabolism
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D000431:Ethanol