Final answer:
Ethylene glycol is metabolized in the body to glycolaldehyde, which subsequently converts to glycolic acid and then further to oxalic acid, potentially leading to metabolic acidosis, organ damage, and acute kidney failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Metabolism of Ethylene Glycol
After absorption, ethylene glycol is metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase to glycolaldehyde, which is then oxidized to glycolic acid. This increase in metabolites can potentially cause encephalopathy or cerebral edema. Between 12 to 36 hours post ingestion, the person might develop primarily metabolic acidosis due to the accumulation of glycolic acid, and an increase in blood lactic acid can lead to lactic acidosis. Another toxic metabolite, oxalic acid, is formed by the metabolism of glycolic acid to glyoxylic acid and then to oxalic acid, which can bind with calcium to form calcium oxalate crystals. These crystals can deposit in the brain, heart, lungs, and kidneys causing damage, and may lead to acute kidney failure within 72 hours without appropriate medical treatment.