ETHANOL AND POLYAMINE METABOLISM - PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS - A REVIEW

This review summarizes the effects of ethanol on the metabolism of pol yamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine), which are endogenous p olycations required for cell physiology, growth, and differentiation. Polyamines regulate DNA, RNA, and protein syntheses; stabilize ribosom es, membranes, and nucleic acids; and protect the cell against lipid p eroxidation. Polyamine biosynthesis and catabolism may change after ac ute and chronic ethanol treatment, thereby playing a negative or posit ive role in the ethanol-induced injury on liver, extrahepatic tissues, embryo, and fetus.