Effects on rat liver acetaldehyde dehydrogenases in vitro and in vivo by coprine, the disulfiram-like constituent of Coprinus atramentarius.

Coprine, the disulfiram-like constituent of the mushroom Coprinus atramentarius was found to inhibit the low-Km dehydrogenase in rat liver and to increase the acetaldehyde level in blood during ethanol metabolism in vivo. Coprine did not inhibit the low-Km enzyme in vitro, but the hydrolytic product of coprine, 1-aminocyclo-propanol, was a potent inhibitor both in vitro and in vivo. A rapid onset of inhibition was observed after administration of coprine and the inhibition was long-lasting. It is suggested that 1-aminocyclopropanol is responsible for the inhibition caused by coprine in vivo.