Alcohol Vaccine for Immediate Hangover

A new vaccine which is being developed in Chile, will give drinkers immediate hangover even with a small amount of alcohol.

Scientists from the University of Chile have spent a year designing the drug in a bid to tackle the growing problem of alcoholism in the country.

The vaccine, which would be effective for between six months and a year, works by sending a biochemical message to the liver telling it not to express genes that metabolise alcohol, the Daily Mail reported.

Normally, the liver turns alcohol into the hangover-causing compound called acetaldehyde which is then broken down by a metabolising enzyme.

If someone who's been vaccinated tries to drink alcohol, they will immediately experience severe nausea, accelerated heartbeat, and general discomfort.

Once the vaccine has been administered it cannot be reversed.

A preclinical trial using mice to determine the correct dosing is due to begin next month with researchers hoping to begin tests on human subjects in November.

The vaccine, which would be effective for between six months and a year, works by sending a biochemical message to the liver telling it not to express genes that metabolise alcohol

Dr. Juan Asenjo, director of the university's Institute for Cell Dynamics and Biotechnology, said that while the vaccine is not a cure-all, it could provide an important first step.

Inspiration for the vaccine came from the far East, said Asenjo, where between 15 and 20 percent of Japanese, Chinese or Koreans have a mutation which inhibits the breakdown of alcohol in their bodies.

Source: ANI