Signs and Related Mechanisms of Ethanol Hepatotoxicity

Curr Drug Abuse Rev. 2015;8(2):86-103. doi: 10.2174/1874473708666150916113352.

Abstract

Ethanol is the most abused psychoactive substance. Accordingly to World Health Organization ethanol ranks among the top five risk factors for disease, disability and death (3.3 million/year) throughout the world. This manuscript highlights and critically analyses clinical and forensic signs related to hepatoxicity of ethanol that may lead to suspected of abuse. Namely, steatosis, jaundice, cirrhosis, hemorrhoids, esophageal varices caput medusae, ascites, petechiae, ecchymoses, splenomegaly, hemochromatosis, xanthelasma, nutritional deficiency, testicular atrophy, gynecomastia and dilated congestive cardiomyopathy are discussed and related to the toxic mechanism of ethanol.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alcoholism / complications*
  • Alcoholism / epidemiology
  • Ethanol / administration & dosage
  • Ethanol / adverse effects*
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Ethanol