In a case of suspected methanol toxicity, what enzyme's activity should be inhibited for effective management?

In the context of methanol toxicity, the enzyme that should be inhibited for effective management is alcohol dehydrogenase. This is important because methanol is metabolized in the liver, primarily by alcohol dehydrogenase, to formaldehyde, which is then further metabolized to formic acid. Both of these metabolites are highly toxic and are responsible for the severe acidosis and other effects seen in methanol poisoning.

Inhibiting alcohol dehydrogenase helps to prevent the conversion of methanol to its toxic metabolites. This is typically achieved by administering ethanol, which competes with methanol for the active site of alcohol dehydrogenase. Ethanol is preferentially metabolized, allowing methanol to remain unmetabolized in the body, thereby reducing the production of formaldehyde and formic acid.

By blocking the action of alcohol dehydrogenase, the toxic effects of methanol can be minimized, making this approach critical in the management of suspected methanol toxicity.