Abstract
Alcohol consumption is a serious health issue in Korea in terms of the amount consumed and the behavior related to its consumption. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is a key enzyme in alcohol metabolism that degrades acetaldehyde to nontoxic acetic acid. The enzyme is coded by the ALDH2 gene, which is commonly polymorphic in East Asian populations. A point mutation in the ALDH2 gene (the rs671 allele) yields an inactive form of ALDH2 that causes acetaldehyde accumulation in the body after alcohol consumption, thereby inhibiting normal alcohol metabolism. Individuals who are homozygous for polymorphism in ALDH2 tend to refrain from drinking alcohol, decreasing their chances of developing alcoholism and exposure to the associated risks. Mendelian randomization (MR) studies have demonstrated that alcohol consumption predicted by ALDH2 genotype is causally related to cardiovascular risks. Moreover, recent MR studies suggest that the ALDH2 variant has mechanistic effects on some disease outcomes or mortality through increased blood levels of acetaldehyde, showing differences therein between heterozygotes (ALDH2*2*2) and homozygotes (ALDH2*1*2) in those who consume alcohol. Accordingly, consideration of ALDH2 genotype in alcohol prevention programs is warranted. In conclusion, strategies that incorporate genetic information and provide an evidential basis from which to help people make informed decisions on alcohol consumption are urgently required.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 689-696 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Yonsei Medical Journal |
| Volume | 58 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2017 Jul 1 |
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Keywords
- Alcohol
- Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2
- Guidelines
- Mendelian randomization analysis
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)
Cite this
Alcohol consumption, Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene polymorphisms, and cardiovascular health in Korea. / Shin, Min-Jeong; Cho, Yoonsu; Davey Smith, George.
In: Yonsei Medical Journal, Vol. 58, No. 4, 01.07.2017, p. 689-696.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Alcohol consumption, Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene polymorphisms, and cardiovascular health in Korea
AU - Shin, Min-Jeong
AU - Cho, Yoonsu
AU - Davey Smith, George
PY - 2017/7/1
Y1 - 2017/7/1
N2 - Alcohol consumption is a serious health issue in Korea in terms of the amount consumed and the behavior related to its consumption. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is a key enzyme in alcohol metabolism that degrades acetaldehyde to nontoxic acetic acid. The enzyme is coded by the ALDH2 gene, which is commonly polymorphic in East Asian populations. A point mutation in the ALDH2 gene (the rs671 allele) yields an inactive form of ALDH2 that causes acetaldehyde accumulation in the body after alcohol consumption, thereby inhibiting normal alcohol metabolism. Individuals who are homozygous for polymorphism in ALDH2 tend to refrain from drinking alcohol, decreasing their chances of developing alcoholism and exposure to the associated risks. Mendelian randomization (MR) studies have demonstrated that alcohol consumption predicted by ALDH2 genotype is causally related to cardiovascular risks. Moreover, recent MR studies suggest that the ALDH2 variant has mechanistic effects on some disease outcomes or mortality through increased blood levels of acetaldehyde, showing differences therein between heterozygotes (ALDH2*2*2) and homozygotes (ALDH2*1*2) in those who consume alcohol. Accordingly, consideration of ALDH2 genotype in alcohol prevention programs is warranted. In conclusion, strategies that incorporate genetic information and provide an evidential basis from which to help people make informed decisions on alcohol consumption are urgently required.
AB - Alcohol consumption is a serious health issue in Korea in terms of the amount consumed and the behavior related to its consumption. Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is a key enzyme in alcohol metabolism that degrades acetaldehyde to nontoxic acetic acid. The enzyme is coded by the ALDH2 gene, which is commonly polymorphic in East Asian populations. A point mutation in the ALDH2 gene (the rs671 allele) yields an inactive form of ALDH2 that causes acetaldehyde accumulation in the body after alcohol consumption, thereby inhibiting normal alcohol metabolism. Individuals who are homozygous for polymorphism in ALDH2 tend to refrain from drinking alcohol, decreasing their chances of developing alcoholism and exposure to the associated risks. Mendelian randomization (MR) studies have demonstrated that alcohol consumption predicted by ALDH2 genotype is causally related to cardiovascular risks. Moreover, recent MR studies suggest that the ALDH2 variant has mechanistic effects on some disease outcomes or mortality through increased blood levels of acetaldehyde, showing differences therein between heterozygotes (ALDH2*2*2) and homozygotes (ALDH2*1*2) in those who consume alcohol. Accordingly, consideration of ALDH2 genotype in alcohol prevention programs is warranted. In conclusion, strategies that incorporate genetic information and provide an evidential basis from which to help people make informed decisions on alcohol consumption are urgently required.
KW - Alcohol
KW - Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2
KW - Guidelines
KW - Mendelian randomization analysis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85019771709&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85019771709&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3349/ymj.2017.58.4.689
DO - 10.3349/ymj.2017.58.4.689
M3 - Review article
C2 - 28540979
AN - SCOPUS:85019771709
VL - 58
SP - 689
EP - 696
JO - Yonsei Medical Journal
JF - Yonsei Medical Journal
SN - 0513-5796
IS - 4
ER -