Imagine a world where you can avoid the unpleasant aftermath of a night of drinking with just a simple pill. Scientists have made significant progress towards this vision by creating a gel that helps mice efficiently break down alcohol without any harmful effects.
When alcohol is metabolized in the body, it produces acetaldehyde, a toxic by-product responsible for hangovers and liver damage. The innovative gel developed by biochemist Duo Xu at Stanford University can directly convert alcohol into acetate, eliminating the accumulation of toxic substances. It acts like a miniature liver, detoxifying alcohol in a safe and efficient manner.
If successful in human trials, this gel could revolutionize the way we approach hangovers and the health risks associated with excessive drinking. Chronic alcohol consumption can lead to severe damage to essential organs like the heart, liver, and brain, affecting millions of people worldwide. By preventing the harmful effects of alcohol, this gel has the potential to improve the lives of many.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the gel, Xu’s team conducted experiments on mice, administering the gel to one group, a gel without iron to another, and a saline solution to a third group before exposing them to alcohol.
2024-05-13 11:08:52
Source: www.sciencenews.org