ALDH irreversibly oxidizes acetaldehyde to acetate, most of which enters the bloodstream (124) to supply other tissues (Figure 3). Besides serving as a key intermediate in energy metabolism and cellular regulation (125), acetate also produces central depressant effects (see Section 3.2). However, a full discussion of acetate metabolism is beyond the scope of this article; readers can consult recent comprehensive reviews for additional detail (125, 126).
