Re: How does 100 proof alcohol treat ethylene glycol poisoning?

Ethylene glycol poisoning causes metabolic acidosis and renal failure and 
may cause death. This is caused by the result of metabolism of ethylene 
glycol by alcohol deshydrogenase. In other words, an enzyme wich usually 
detoxifies (metabolizes) alcohol in water and CO2 is fooled by ethylene 
glycol, "works" on it, but instead of producing CO2 and water produces 
toxic compounds wichcause acute renal failure and eventually death.

The standard treatment is inhibition of alcohol dehydrogenase with 
ethanol, given in intoxicating doses(i.e. no room left for metabolizing 
ethylene glycol), and adjunctive hemodialysis.

Hope this helps

Luc

Luc A. Ronchi, MD
Pediatric Anesthesiology
Hopital de Saint-Nazaire
France