In their article on recent advances in alc. liver disease (ALD), Avila and coworkers also mention the little- studied approach of inhibiting overexpressed cytochrome P 450 2E1 (CYP2E1), which is induced by chronic ethanol consumption, causes generation of reactive oxidative species (ROS) and oxidative stress and stimulates hepatic steatosis and fibrosis.To study whether CYP2E1 inhibition improves ALD in humans, we performed an open, randomized controlled clin. trial in alc.-dependent patients who were admitted to the hospital for alc. detoxification therapy (ADT).ADT was performed either with clomethiazole or clorazepate, which are both recom- mended as first- line therapies by the German S3-guidelines for the treatment of ADT.Already after the first dose of clomethiazole, CYP2E1 activity decreased significantly by 95%, while no effect was seen with clorazepate.The molar metabolite- to- parent drug ratio reflects CYP2E1 activity.Recovery of liver damage demonstrated by the improvement of serum transaminase activities was more pronounced during clomethiazole treatment.In summary, this randomised controlled clin. trial demonstrates for the first time in humans that clomethiazole accelerates the early recovery from ALD as demon- strated by a more rapid improvement of serum transaminase activity compared with treatment with a benzodiazepine.Because clomethiazole is a potent CYP2E1 inhibitor, it also supports the presumed involvement of CYP2E1 in the pathogenesis of ALD, which is well documented in vitro and in animal studies.Thus, it seems it is time to search for other inhibitors of CYP2E1 activity without toxicity and addiction potential, which can be used safely for longer periods of time.