DNA Damage Induced by Alcoholic Beverages and Repair Mechanism Pathways: A Review

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Abstract
Alcoholic beverages contains ethanol as the main component. Ethanol is metabolized into acetaldehyde, a Group 1 carcinogen, and other reactive by-products such as ROS and hydroxyl radicals. These metabolites can interact with DNA to form adducts and interstrand cross-links, leading to mutations and genomic instability, which are key contributors to alcohol-related cancers. Ethanol metabolism is mediated by critical enzymes - Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH), Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), Catalase, and Aldehyde Dehydrogenase (ALDH), which regulate both the generation and detoxification of these harmful intermediates. Every cell in our body owns a toolkit with which it can repair different types of DNA lesions. This review highlights the enzymatic pathways of ethanol metabolism, the formation of genotoxic by-products, and the cellular mechanisms that maintain genomic integrity. Understanding these processes provides crucial insights into the molecular basis of alcohol-induced carcinogenesis and may guide strategies for prevention and therapeutic intervention.

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