Ethanol and Hormesis

Abstract

This article provides a detailed assessment of the toxicological and pharmacological literature concerning alcohol-induced biphasic dose-response relationships. The assessment reveals that alcohol-induced hormetic-like dose-response relationships are commonly observed, highly generalizeable according to model and endpoint and quantitative feature of the dose response. These findings have important implications affecting study design, animal model, and endpoint selection as well as clinical applications.

KEYWORDS: :

• ethanol
• hormesis
• biphasic
• J-shaped
• U-shaped
• animal models
• risk assessment
• nonlinear
• dual effects
• switching mechanisms
• bi-directional responses
• stimulation
• inhibition