Inhibition of liver alcohol dehydrogenase and ethanol metabolism by 3-substituted thiolane 1-oxides

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Abstract
3-Substituted thiolane 1-oxides (methyl, n-butyl, n-hexyl and phenyl) were prepared and tested as inhibitors of horse, monkey and rat liver alcohol dehydrogenases and of ethanol metabolism in rats. These compounds inhibit alcohol oxidation in an uncompetitive manner with respect to ethanol as a varied substrate. Lengthening the alkyl substituent increased the inhibitory potency because of tighter binding in the hydrophobic substrate binding pocket of the alcohol dehydrogenases. The 3-hexyl derivative was the most potent inhibitor of the purified rat liver alcohol dehydrogenase, with a K value of 0.13 .mu.M. The 3-butyl derivative was the best inhibitor of ethanol metabolism in rats, with a K value of 11 .mu.mol/kg. The acute toxicity in mice of the butyl derivative was 1.4 mmol/kg. Since high concentrations of alcohol do not prevent the inhibitory effects of these compounds, they may be particularly useful for preventing poisoning by methanol or ethylene glycol.