Effects of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-c]-pyridine derivatives on ethanol oxidation by alcohol dehydrogenase isoforms from human liver.

We studied in vitro effects of four 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-c]-pyridine derivatives formed in the reaction of the corresponding aldehydes with histidine on the rate of ethanol oxidation by alcohol dehydrogenase isoforms from human liver. None of test compounds inhibited ethanol oxidation by these enzymes. Some of them increased alcohol dehydrogenase activity to 220-240% of the initial level. Only one test compound accelerated ethanol oxidation by b1b2-alcohol dehydrogenase (150% of the control). The molecular mechanism underlying these effects of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-c]-pyridine derivatives on ethanol oxidation by alcohol dehydrogenase isoforms from human liver is discussed.