Reducing Alcohol Damage To The Liver
By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - There are many problems associated with excessive use of alcohol.
The obvious thing is the fact that it impairs judgment and the national epidemic of DUIs is an indication of just how severe the problem is. But there are long-term effects of chronic abuse as well.
Years of alcohol abuse can destroy vital organs in the body - particularly the liver which metabolizes alcohol.
Now researchers at UCLA believe that they may have a potential way to reduce the damage. They have found that two or more enzymes encapsulated in a thin polymer shell can lower blood alcohol levels in intoxicated mice.
The report is in the journal Nature Nanotechnology and is based on a somewhat complicated theory that artificially synthesized nanocomplexes containing alcohol oxidase and catalase may provide a method for preventing liver injury arising from the overconsumption of alcohol.
Basically it is a way to break down the dangerous toxins and protect the organ.
