Alcohols-histones metabolic interactions in intact human erythrocytes.

Alcohols have a stimulating effect on the intracellular peroxidatic reactions of intact human erythrocytes. This effect depends directly on the molecular weight of alcohol and the H2O2 concentration. The human leukocyte nuclear histones, flavin-adenine-dinucleotide (FAD) and nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide (NAD) inhibit the peroxidatic reactions during the metabolism of alcohols in intact human erythrocytes. The participation of erythrocyte catalase, the possible metabolic pathway and the inhibitory effect of human leukocyte nuclear histones, FAD and NAD on the intracellular metabolism of alcohols is discussed.