The role of ALDH2 and ADH1B polymorphism in alcohol consumption and stroke in Han Chinese

Abstract

The genes encoding the enzymes for metabolising alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) -- exhibit genetic polymorphism and ethnic variations. Although the ALDH2*2 variant allele has been widely accepted as protecting against the development of alcoholism in Asians, the association of the ADH1B*2 variant allele with drinking behaviour remains inconclusive. The goal of this study was to determine whether the polymorphic ADH1B and ALDH2 genes are associated with stroke in male Han Chinese with high alcohol consumption. Sixty-five stroke patients with a history of heavy drinking (HDS) and 83 stroke patients without such a history (NHDS) were recruited for analysis of the ADH1B and ALDH2 genotypes from the stroke registry in the Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, between January 2000 and December 2001. The allelotypes of ADH1B and ALDH2 were determined using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The HDS patients (3 per cent) showed a significantly lower ALDH2*2 allele frequency than NHDS patients (27 per cent) (p < 0.001). After controlling for age, patients with HDS were associated with a significantly higher occurrence of cigarette smoking (p < 0.01) and liver dysfunction (p < 0.01). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that the ALDH2*2 variant allele was an independent variable exhibiting strong protection (odds ratio 0.072; 95 per cent confidence interval 0.02-0.26) against HDS after adjustment for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking status and liver dysfunction. By contrast, allelic variations in ADH1B exerted no significant effect on HDS. The present study indicated that, unlike ALDH2*2, ADH1B*2 appears not to be a significant negative risk factor for high alcohol consumption in male Han Chinese with stroke.

Homozygous ALDH2*2 Is an Independent Risk Factor for Ischemic Stroke in Taiwanese Men

“…15,27,28 The unpleasant effects may lead to alcohol avoidance and may significantly reduce the prevalence of alcoholism in carriers of the ALDH2*2 allele; this may also indirectly reduce the detrimental influence of ethanol on cardiovascular risk. 29 Yao et al 17 first reported that the frequency of the ALDH2*2 allele in Taiwanese patients with stroke who were also heavy drinkers was significantly lower than those who were not heavy drinkers. The low incidence of the ALDH2*2 allele among heavy drinkers may be directly related to the tendency of Taiwanese patients who have the allele to live an alcohol-avoidant lifestyle.…”

Role of ADH2 and ALDH2 gene polymorphisms in the development of Parkinson's disease in a Chinese population

“…Polymorphisms in ALDH2 can influence the expression and function of this protein, and consequently increase susceptibility of the individual to a variety of diseases of the central nervous system (Hao et al, 2011;Yao et al, 2011;Li et al, 2015). In a study conducted by Li et al (2015), which included 369 Chinese patients with cerebral infarction and 247 healthy Chinese subjects, it was shown that the A allele in ALDH2 may be a significant risk factor for cerebral infarction in Chinese females .…”

“…In a study conducted by Li et al (2015), which included 369 Chinese patients with cerebral infarction and 247 healthy Chinese subjects, it was shown that the A allele in ALDH2 may be a significant risk factor for cerebral infarction in Chinese females . Notably, Yao et al (2011) stated that the A allele in ALDH2 is an independent protective variable for patients who have had stroke and have a history of heavy alcohol consumption. Further, in a meta-analysis by Hao et al (2011), it was shown that the GA and AA genotypes in ALDH2 increased the risk of Alzheimer's disease.…”

Genetic polymorphisms and related risk factors of ischemic stroke in a Mongolian population in China

“…Substantial evidence indicated that alcohol abuse is sever risk factor for stroke (Gill et al, 1986(Gill et al, , 1991Hillbom et al, 1999;Klatsky et al, 2001;Mazzaglia et al, 2001). ALDH2 polymorphisms play a pivotal role on hypertension (Hasi et al, 2011;Wang et al, 2013;Yokoyama et al, 2013;Hu et al, 2014), heart disease (Gu, Li, 2014;Mizuno et al, 2015) and stroke (Yao et al, 2011;Lai et al, 2012). The single base mutation (ALDH2*2) of ALDH2, the predominant allele in East Asian populations (around 70 %) (Chen, Yin, 2008), is responsible for acute alcohol-flushing reaction in Asians (Crabb, 1990).…”