Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Whole live micro-organism – cell – or virus containing – Fungus
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-25
2001-09-04
Naff, David M. (Department: 1651)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Whole live micro-organism, cell, or virus containing
Fungus
C435S255100, C435S255200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06284244
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a process for lowering of blood alcohol (i.e. ethyl alcohol) levels in humans after they imbibe alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine or distilled spirits.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Consumption of alcoholic beverages in moderate amounts is an accepted societal practice. Additionally, consumption of alcoholic beverages in moderate amounts is considered to provide some health benefits in terms of reduced stress and incidence of heart attack. Consumption of alcoholic beverages in moderate amounts also is considered by many people to enhance the flavor and enjoyment of food. However, even moderate social drinkers can be affected by alcohol. Ethyl alcohol (CH
3
CH
2
OH) is a major purpose for the consumption of alcoholic beverages. When such beverages are consumed, the alcohol enters the stomach and is soon transported to the small intestine. From here the alcohol enters the blood stream via the portal vein and goes to the liver. Here, a portion of the alcohol is oxidized to acetaldehyde by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. The unoxidized alcohol goes to every part of the body through the general circulation. This alcohol, which has free access to every cell in the body, exerts an influence on the central nervous system and the brain. These effects are well known. Operation of a motor vehicle is considered illegal if the level of alcohol in the blood (blood alcohol level) is above 0.1% (in some states) or 0.08% (in other states). Because alcohol diffuses into every cell in the body freely, the blood alcohol level may be measured in the breath as well as in the blood. The acetaldehyde produced is further oxidized almost instantaneously to acetate which enters the pathways of general metabolism. Acetaldehyde and acetate have no effect on the nervous system or the brain. Continued circulation through the liver eventually removes all the alcohol.
The enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase requires a coenzyme called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) in order to catalyze the conversion of ethanol to acetaldehyde. The first step in the metabolism of ethanol can be shown by the following equation:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,153 to Hopkins proposes a process for reducing the effects of alcohol consumption by reducing the alcohol content in human blood by the administration of alcohol oxidase. According to Hopkins, alcohol oxidase may be administered by direct injection into the human body, or by direct contact with the blood by means of dialysis. Hopkins also suggests that alcohol oxidase may be administered orally; however, Hopkins needs his alcohol oxidase to be enteric coated to protect it from being destroyed in the stomach. He does not reduce alcohol levels in the stomach. He actively avoids this.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a process for the reduction of human blood alcohol level by attacking alcohol only in the stomach.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, blood alcohol level is lowered by the oral administration of an extraneous source of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase before or concomitantly with the drinking of the alcoholic beverage. The alcohol dehydrogenase may be consumed as the purified enzyme, or more conveniently, by the ingestion of a natural source of the enzyme, such as active dry bakers, brewers, vintners or distillers yeast. As used herein, active bakers, vintners and distillers yeast comprise
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, and active brewers yeast comprises
Saccharomyces uvarum
. These yeasts all contain alcohol dehydrogenase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). These yeasts may be delivered in powdered, paste or liquid form, i.e. suspended in a liquid, but most conveniently are packaged in dose or portion controlled dried form as a tablet or caplet, or in capsule form.
It has been found that ingesting active dry bakers yeast (the yeast most readily available commercially) or brewers, vintners or distillers yeast, just before, or during, the drinking of an alcoholic beverage, oxidizes a portion of the alcohol while still in the stomach, which results in a lower peak blood alcohol level, and also a lesser area under the curve of a plot of blood alcohol level vs. time. The action of the alcohol dehydrogenase on the alcohol is only in the stomach, so the alcohol dehydrogenase source must be ingested while the alcoholic beverage is still in the stomach. It will have no effect once the alcohol has left the stomach and entered the bloodstream, because the enzyme is destroyed by the acidity and proteolytic action in the stomach.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3954979 (1976-05-01), Bowman
patent: 4006219 (1977-02-01), Upham et al.
patent: 4450153 (1984-05-01), Hopkins
patent: 6007809 (1999-12-01), Chaykin
Hayes Soloway Hennessey Grossman & Hage PC
Meller Mike
Naff David M.
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