CYP4502E1基因多态型对青海藏族男性饮酒行为的影响

目的分析细胞色素P450 2E1(CYP450 2E1)不同基因型及等位基因频率,探讨其与藏族男性饮酒行为之间的关系。方法采用自评式问卷,对325名藏族男性进行调查分析,其中饮酒者193人,不饮酒者132人,另选取266名汉族男性作为对照,采用聚合酶链式反应-限制性内切酶片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)对基因的多态型进行分析,探讨其与饮酒行为之间的相关性。结果不同职业﹑文化程度﹑经济收入﹑婚姻情况﹑吸烟情况人群组中的饮酒率差异具有显著性(P<0.05)。藏汉族男性基因型及等位基因频率分布差异无显著性(P>0.05)。藏族男性饮酒组和不饮酒组比较,CYP450 2E1三种基因型c1/c1、c1/c2和c2/c2的分布差异具有显著性(χ2=10.101,P<0.05),c1/c2基因型频率在饮酒组比在不饮酒组中的高;c1和c2两个等位基因分布差异也具有显著性(χ2=9.223,P<0.05),c2等位基因频率在饮酒组也比在不饮酒组中的高,与安全饮酒相比,危险饮酒组中c2等位基因频率更高。c2等位基因与是否饮酒以及饮酒量的关联程度分别为0.17和0.20。多因素分析显示:影响饮酒行为的因素依次为CYP450 2E1基因、吸烟和经济收入。结论CYP450 2E1基因是影响藏族男性饮酒行为的主要因素。     

ADH2、ALDH2基因多态性及饮酒和胃癌关联的研究

[目的]探讨乙醇脱氢酶2(ADH2)、乙醛脱氢酶2(ALDH2)基因多态性及饮酒和胃癌的联系。[方法]采用病例对照研究的方法,利用变性高效液相色谱法(DHPLC)检测常熟市201例男性原发性胃癌患者和对照组ADH2、ALDH2基因型,结合饮酒因素分析其在胃癌发生中的作用。[结果]与携带ADH2(A/A)或ALDH2(G/G)基因型者相比,其它基因型并不增加患胃癌的危险性(P0.05),结合ADH2、ALDH2基因多态性及饮酒因素发现,即使饮酒量超过1.5 kg.年饮酒者任何基因型组合和不饮酒者携带ADH2(A/A)或ALDH2(G/G)基因型者相比,患胃癌的危险性并未增加(P0.05)。[结论]ADH2、ALDH2基因多态性与胃癌易感性无关。     

乙醇代谢酶基因多态与肝癌遗传易感性研究

目的探讨乙醇代谢酶基因多态与肝癌遗传易感性的关系.方法采用病例对照研究设计,应用扩增产物长度多态性分析法同时检测研究对象的ADH2和ALDH2基因型,应用聚合酶链.反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析法检测研究对象的CYP2E1基因型.结果病例组等位基因ADH2*2、ALDH2*2和CYP2E1 C2的频率分别为58.73%、14.29%和14.29%,对照组则分别为57.18%、15.23%和16.95%;病例组基因型ADH2*2/*2、ALDH2*2/*2和CYP2E1 C2/C2的频率分别为31.75%、1.58%和3.17%,对照组则分别为36.21%、1.72%和4.60%.以上3个基因的等位基因频率和基因型频率在两组的差异均无统计学意义.结论ADH2、ALDH2和CYP2E1基因多态与肝癌的遗传易感性无关.     

浙江汉族人群ALDH2(Glu504Lys)基因多态性与高血压的相关性

目的 研究乙醛脱氢酶2(ALDH2)基因的第504位点(Glu504Lys)多态性与汉族人群高血压的相关性.方法 将465名汉族人(无亲缘关系)分为2组,高血压组105例与非高血压组360人,采用基因芯片法比较两组ALDH2基因型的分布频率是否存在差异.结果 465名汉族人的ALDH2的基因型有3种,ALDH2野生纯合子型(ALDH2*1/*1)、ALDH2突变杂合型(ALDH2*1/*2)和ALDH2突变纯合子型(ALDH2* 2/ *2),高血压组例数和比例分别是73例(69.52％)、30例(28.57％)和2例(1.90％),非高血压组209人(58.05％)、139人(38.61％)和12人(3.33％),这3种基因型在所检测人群中的分布符合Hardy-Weinberg定律(P＞0.05).统计学分析发现,高血压组的ALDH2*1/ *1基因型(69.52％)高于非高血压组(58.05％),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 浙江汉族人群的乙醛脱氢酶2基因多态性与高血压的发生关系密切.     

乙醇和乙醛脱氢酶基因多态与食道癌易感性

目的 研究乙醇脱氢酶2(ADH2)和乙醛脱氧酶2(ALDH2)基因多态与食道癌易感性.方法 对江苏省泰兴市221例食道癌新发病例和191名对照的饮酒习惯等因素进行调查,采用PCR和变性高效液相色谱法(DHPLC)检测ADH2和ALDH2基因型.结果 (1)与携带ALDH2 G/G基因型者相比,携带ALDH2A/A(OR=5.69,95%CI:2.51～12.18)和ALDH2 G/A(OR=1.70,95%CI:1.08～2.68)基因型者患食道癌危险性明显增加,以携带ALDH2A/A的饮酒者最为显著(OR=8.63,95%CI:2.07～35.95).(2)无论是否饮酒,携带不同ADH2基因型者之间患食道癌的风险差异均无统计学意义.(3)携带ALDH2 A/A或G/A基因型者,不论同时携带何种ADH2基因型患食道癌的风险均显著增加,且作用效应为ALDH2 A/A≥G/A.(4)与同时携带ALDH2 G/G和ADH2 A/A的不饮酒者相比,同时携带ALDH2 G/A或A/A和ADH2 G/A或G/G的饮酒者,患食道癌危险性OR值高达8.36(95%CI:2.98～23.46).结论 饮酒及醇醛脱氢酶基因多态与食道癌的联系主要与ALDH2有关;携带ALDH2A/A和G/A者减少酒精消耗量,有助于降低患食道癌危险性.     

汉族健康人201名的酒精代谢相关酶基因多态型分布

目的 了解乙醇脱氢酶2(ADH2)基因型和乙醛脱氢酶2(ALDH2)基因型的分布情况,为筛选高危敏感个体和采取预防措施以减少酒精相关性疾病的发生提供理论基础。方法 问卷调查筛选出居住在四川省的无直接血缘关系的汉族健康个体201人(男104人,女97人)、采集血样并搜集饮酒行为资料;聚合酶链式反应．限制性片段长度多态性方法测定ADH2、ALDH2基因型。结果 杂合型ADH2与纯合型ALDH2在中国汉族正常人口中占优势(分别为53．23％,68．16％);9种ADH2、ALDH2基因型组合的分布间差异无统计学意义;纯合型ALDH2在具高、中饮酒频率男性中的分布间差异有统计学意义。结论 汉族正常人口中携带酒精相关性疾病易感基因型个体占多数(68．16％),应加强监测与预防酒精相关性疾病的工作。     

青海地区汉族和藏族人群HIF-1α基因rs11549465多态性与慢性高原病的关系

目的探讨青海地区汉族、藏族人群缺氧诱导因子1α(HIF-1α)基因rs11549465位点多态性与慢性高原病(chronic mountain sickness,CMS)的关系。方法选择2011年1月—2014年6月确诊的CMS男性患者159例为病例组(汉族90例,藏族69例),选择同期体检的健康男性230例为对照组(汉族120例,藏族110例)。采用基因测序方法检测HIF-1α基因rs11549465位点的多态性。结果汉、藏族人群均检出CC、CT两种基因型,未见TT基因型。无论是病例组还是对照组,藏族人群CT基因型及T等位基因频率均高于汉族人群,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。汉族人群与藏族人群中,病例组与对照组各基因型及等位基因频率间比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 HIF-1α基因rs11549465位点CT基因型及T等位基因可能是青海地区藏族人群低氧适应的遗传学变异,HIF-1α基因rs11549465位点基因多态性与青海汉族、藏族人群CMS易感性无关。     

醛、醇脱氢酶基因多态性与三氯乙烯药疹样皮炎易感性的关系

目的研究醛脱氢酶、醇脱氢酶基因多态性与三氯乙烯药疹样皮炎易感性的关系。方法应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)方法,比较108例三氯乙烯药疹样皮炎病人和145例健康三氯乙烯接触工人醛脱氢酶2(ALDH2)、醇脱氢酶2(ADH2)和醇脱氢酶3(ADH3)的基因多态性分布,并计算相对危险度(OR)。结果ADH2和ADH3基因型分布在病人与接触对照工人中无显著性差异;ALDH2变异型基因(ALDH2*1/*2+ALDH2*2/*2)频率在病人中显著低于接触对照工人(分别为27·8%和43·4%,P=0·011),使三氯乙烯药疹样皮炎的危险性显著降低(OR=0·50,95%CI=0·29~0·85)。结论高活性ALDH2可能是导致三氯乙烯药疹样皮炎个体易感性差异的原因之一。     

ALDH2基因多态性与男性饮酒行为关系的分子流行病学研究

目的 探讨乙醛脱氢酶基因(acetaldehyde dehydrogenase gene 2,ALDH2)多态性与男性饮酒行为的关系.方法 采用TaqMan对823名正常男性ALDH2的9个标签单核苷酸多态性位点(single-nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)进行分型,使用Logistic回归分析基因型与饮酒行为的关系.结果 调整年龄、受教育、婚姻、收入和吸烟后,5个SNP与饮酒行为的关联具有统计学意义(rs671 (G＞ A),OR=0.35,95％ CI:0.27～0.45,P＜0.001;rs2283354(G＞A),OR =1.61,95％ CI:1.26 ～2.05,P＜0.001;rs4767939(G＞A),OR=1.46,95％ CI:1.01 ～2.11,P=0.042;rs79073142(T＞C),OR=1.71,95％ CI:1.37 ～2.14,P＜0.001;rs2106696(A ＞T),OR=1.75,95％ CI:1.40 ～2.19,P＜0.001).携带危险等位基因个数越多,发生饮酒行为的可能性越高(趋势性P值＜0.001).SNP两两之间的交互效应没有统计学意义.结论 ALDH2基因多态性可影响中国男性饮酒行为.     

相对的两对引物-聚合酶链反应技术在乙醛脱氢酶-2基因分型中的应用

目的 了解乙醛脱氢酶-2(ALDH2)基因型在广西壮族和汉族健康人群中的分布及其对饮酒行为的影响.方法 分别采用相对的两对引物一聚合酶链反应(PCR-CTPP)和聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性方法(PCR-RFLP)检测193名汉族和88名壮族成人ALDH2基因型,问卷调查其饮酒行为.结果 壮族和汉族人群ALDH21基因频率分别为0.511、0.489,ALDH22基因频率分别为0.508、0.492,差异无统计学意义(χ2=0.001,P＞0.05).PCR-CTPP的分型结果与PCR-RFLP结果相符.高频饮酒且携带ALDH21纯合基因型者在汉族和壮族各占15.67%和35.59%,差异有统计学意义(χ2=5.800,P=0.016).结论 广西汉族和壮族人群中ALDH2基因型频率分布无差异,不同民族人群的ALDH2遗传型可能对其饮酒行为有影响.     

Genetic factors which regulate alcohol drinking behavior and their effects on health status]

High alcohol sensitivity common among Orientals is mainly due to genetic polymorphism in the low K(m) aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) gene. The relation of the ALDH2 genotype to alcohol sensitivity and drinking behavior was investigated in a Japanese occupational population. The frequency of alcohol-associated symptoms generally increased in the order of the typical homozygote, heterozygote, and atypical homozygote. Both drinking frequency and amounts of alcohol consumption were also significantly affected by the polymorphism. Polymorphism in the alcohol dehydrogenase beta-subunit (ADH2 gene) appeared to contribute to skin flushing post-alcohol exposure but not to alcohol drinking behavior. Multivariate analysis revealed that high alcohol consumption, the ALDH2*1/*1 genotype, and high daily hassles levels significantly contribute to the prevalence of those with a high problem-drinking score in an occupational population. In the study to assess the effects of the ALDH2 polymorphism and alcohol use on the induction of chromosome alterations in peripheral lymphocytes, we found that lymphocytes from habitual drinkers with the atypical ALDH2 genotypes had significantly higher frequencies of sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) than those from the typical ALDH2 genotype. We also measured acetaldehyde reversibly bound to hemoglobin (HbAA). In volunteers with the ALDH2*1/*2 genotype, the HbAA levels increased immediately after the drink and the elevated levels persisted up to 48 h. Among male workers, HbAA levels were significantly correlated with the recent alcohol consumption levels in both the ALDH2*1/*1 and ALDH2*1/*2 genotypes. However, the slope was much steeper in the ALDH2*1/*2 than in the ALDH2*1/*1. SCE and HbAA may be utilized as a good biomarker for health problems in the atypical ALDH2 genotype. Further extensive studies are required for evaluation of the interactive effects of genetic and environmental factors on alcohol-related health problems.     

Pooled analysis of alcohol dehydrogenase genotypes and head and neck cancer: a HuGE review

Possession of the fast metabolizing alleles for alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), ADH1B*2 and ADH1C*1, and the null allele for aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), ALDH2*2, results in increased acetylaldehyde levels and is hypothesized to increase the risk of head and neck cancer. To examine this association, the authors undertook a Human Genome Epidemiology review on these three genes and a pooled analysis of published studies on ADH1C. The majority of Asians had the fast ADH1B*2 and ADH1C*1 alleles, while the majority of Caucasians had the slow ADH1B*1/1 and ADH1C*1/2 genotypes. The ALDH2*2 null allele was frequently observed among Asians, though it was rarely observed in other populations. In a pooled analysis of data from seven case-control studies with a total of 1,325 cases and 1,760 controls, an increased risk of head and neck cancer was not observed for the ADH1C*1/2 genotype (odds ratio = 1.00, 95% confidence interval: 0.81, 1.23) or the ADH1C*1/1 genotype (odds ratio = 1.14, 95% confidence interval: 0.92, 1.41). Increased relative risks of head and neck cancer were reported for the ADH1B*1/1 and ALDH2*1/2 genotypes in several studies. Recommendations for future studies include larger sample sizes and incorporation of relevant ADH and ALDH genes simultaneously, as well as other genes. These considerations suggest the potential for the organization of a consortium of investigators conducting studies in this field.     

Gene-environmental interactions in alcohol-related health problems--contributions of molecular biology to behavior modifications

High alcohol sensitivity among Asians is mainly due to a genetic polymorphism in the low Km aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) gene. Strong correlations between the ALDH2 genotype and alcohol sensitivity or alcohol drinking habits have been reported. Another prevalent polymorphism in the alcohol dehydrogenase beta-subunit (ADH2 gene) among Asians appears to modify skin flushing reactions after exposure to ethanol but does not influence alcohol drinking behavior. Both the ADH2 and ALDH2 genotypes have been significantly correlated with the risk of alcoholism. In a Japanese occupational population, a gene-environment interaction of the ALDH2 genotype and daily hassles scores for development of problem drinking behavior was observed. Habitual drinkers with the ALDH2*1/*2 genotype had higher frequencies of sister-chromatid exchange in cultured lymphocytes and higher 8-OHdG levels in polymorphonuclear leukocytes than those with the ALDH2*1/*1 genotype. Alcoholics and heavy drinkers with the ALDH2*1/*2 genotype have been shown to have significantly elevated risks for esophageal and multiple cancers in upper digestive organs than those with the ALDH2*1/*1 genotype. In Japan, bronchial asthma patients with the ALDH2*1/*2 genotype have been shown to have a significantly elevated risk for experiencing alcohol-induced asthma compared with the ALDH2*1/*1 genotype. Providing services to determine these genotypes would be of great help for each individual to make a plan for tailor-made health promotion.     

酒精代谢酶基因型在日本双生子中的分布

目的为预防酒精相关性疾病发生,调查了酒精代谢酶控制基因在日本双生子中的分布。方法以饱和酚法提取ＤＮＡ,应用限制性片段长度多态性分析技术检测了９２个日本双生子的酒精脱氢酶２（ＡＤＨ２）和乙醛脱氢酶２（ＡＬＤＨ２）基因型,根据基因型差异筛选敏感个体。结果ＡＤＨ２和ＡＬＤＨ２基因分布符合Ｈａｒｄｙｗｅｉｎｂｅｒｇ等式。ＡＤＨ２基因的３种基因型分别是ＡＤＨ２１／ＡＤＨ２１（１．１％）、ＡＤＨ２１／ＡＤＨ２２（４４．６％）和ＡＤＨ２２／ＡＤＨ２２（５４．３％）。ＡＬＤＨ２的基因型分别为ＡＬＤＨ２１／ＡＬＤＨ２１（４１．３％）、ＡＬＤＨ２１／ＡＬＤＨ２２（３９．１％）和ＡＬＤＨ２２／ＡＬＤＨ２２（１９６％）。ＡＤＨ２和ＡＬＤＨ２基因频率分别为０．２５５、０．７４５和０６０９、０３９１。结论异常纯合的ＡＤＨ２基因和纯合的ＡＬＤＨ２基因占优势。个体携有ＡＤＨ２１／ＡＤＨ２２和ＡＬＤＨ２１／ＡＬＤＨ２１、ＡＤＨ２２／ＡＤＨ２２和ＡＬＤＨ２１／ＡＬＤＨ２１者可视为敏感个体。     

Genetic polymorphism of alcohol dehydrogenase 3 in alcohol liver cirrhosis and in alcohol chronic pancreatitis

AIM: To find the ADH3 genotypes in the Polish population likely to be responsible for higher susceptibility to alcohol disease of the liver and chronic alcohol pancreatitis. METHOD: The ADH3 genotype and ADH3*1 and ADH3*2 alleles frequencies were examined in 198 patients. Genotyping of the ADH3 was performed using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods on a white cell DNA. RESULTS: The genotype ADH3*1/ADH3*1 was found to be significantly more frequent in alcohol abusers compared with non-drinkers. The examinations of the group of alcohol abusers showed that the genotype ADH3*2/ADH3*2 occurred statistically significantly less frequently in patients with chronic pancreatitis than in those without alimentary lesions (healthy drinkers). The alleles ADH3*1 and genotype ADH3*1/ADH3*1 were significantly more frequent in men than in women, whereas alleles ADH3*2 and genotype ADH3*2/ADH3*2 were more common in women. CONCLUSIONS: The genotype ADH3*2/ADH3*2 is likely to be a protective factor for chronic pancreatitis. Variations in ADH3 genotypes may account for some of the differences in prevalence of alcohol dependence between genders in the Polish population.     

Expression pattern, ethanol-metabolizing activities, and cellular localization of alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases in human large bowel: association of the functional polymorphisms of ADH and ALDH genes with hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) are principal enzymes responsible for metabolism of ethanol. Functional polymorphisms of ADH1B, ADH1C, and ALDH2 genes occur among racial populations. The goal of this study was to systematically determine the functional expressions and cellular localization of ADHs and ALDHs in human rectal mucosa, the lesions of adenocarcinoma and hemorrhoid, and the genetic association of allelic variations of ADH and ALDH with large bowel disorders. Twenty-one surgical specimens of rectal adenocarcinoma and the adjacent normal mucosa, including 16 paired tissues of rectal tumor, normal mucosae of rectum and sigmoid colon from the same individuals, and 18 surgical mixed hemorrhoid specimens and leukocyte DNA samples from 103 colorectal cancer patients, 67 hemorrhoid patients, and 545 control subjects recruited in previous study, were investigated. The isozyme/allozyme expression patterns of ADH and ALDH were identified by isoelectric focusing and the activities were assayed spectrophotometrically. The protein contents of ADH/ALDH isozymes were determined by immunoblotting using the corresponding purified class-specific antibodies; the cellular activity and protein localizations were detected by immunohistochemistry and histochemistry, respectively. Genotypes of ADH1B, ADH1C, and ALDH2 were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms. At 33 mM ethanol, pH 7.5, the activity of ADH1C*1/1 phenotypes exhibited 87% higher than that of the ADH1C*1/*2 phenotypes in normal rectal mucosa. The activity of ALDH2-active phenotypes of rectal mucosa was 33% greater than ALDH2-inactive phenotypes at 200 μM acetaldehyde. The protein contents in normal rectal mucosa were in the following order: ADH1 > ALDH2 > ADH3 ≈ ALDH1A1, whereas those of ADH2, ADH4, and ALDH3A1 were fairly low. Both activity and content of ADH1 were significantly decreased in rectal tumors, whereas the ALDH activity remained unchanged. The ADH activity was also significantly reduced in hemorrhoids. ADH4 and ALDH3A1 were uniquely expressed in the squamous epithelium of anus at anorectal junctions. The allele frequencies of ADH1C*1 and ALDH2*2 were significantly higher in colorectal cancer and that of ALDH2*2 also significantly greater in hemorrhoids. In conclusion, ADH and ALDH isozymes are differentially expressed in mucosal cells of rectum and anus. The results suggest that acetaldehyde, an immediate metabolite of ethanol, may play an etiological role in pathogenesis of large bowel diseases.     

Distribution of ADH1B, ALDH2, CYP2E1∗6, and CYP2E1∗7B genotypes in Turkish population

The most well-known metabolic pathways from ethanol to acetaldehyde include alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system that involves cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1). Acetaldehyde is further oxidized to acetate by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). The genetic variation of ADH1B, ALDH2, and CYP2E1 is different among racial populations and cause difference in elimination rates of alcohol. The aim of this study was to determine the polymorphisms of ADH1B (rs1229984; Arg47His), ALDH2 (rs671; Glu487Lys), CYP2E1*6 (rs6413432; T7632A), and CYP2E1*7B (rs6413420; G-71T) in unrelated healthy Turkish population and compare it with other populations. ADH1B and ALDH2 polymorphisms were analyzed with an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, and CYP2E1*6 and CYP2E1*7B polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. ADH1B polymorphism analysis yielded the genotype distribution as 83.9% ADH1B*1/1 and 16.1% ADH1B*1/2, and no individuals with ALDH2*1/2 and ALDH2*2/2 genotypes were found in Turkish population. The genotype frequencies for CYP2E1*6 polymorphism were found as 85.3% for homozygote common, 14.1% for heterozygote, and 0.6% for homozygote uncommon. For CYP2E1*7B polymorphism, the genotype frequencies were determined to be 86.5% G/G, 13.5% for G/T; however, no individuals with homozygote uncommon genotype were detected. According to our study results, the genotype distributions of ADH1B, ALDH2, CYP2E1*6, and CYP2E1*7B in Turkish population were similar compared with Caucasian and some European populations, whereas differed significantly from East Asian populations. This study may be useful in epidemiological studies of the influence of ADH1B, ALDH2, CYP2E1*6, and CYP2E1*7B polymorphisms on diseases, including several types of cancer related to alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence.     

Relationships of alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (<Emphasis Type="Italic">ADH1B</Emphasis>) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (<Emphasis Type="Italic">ALDH2</Emphasis>) genotypes with alcohol sensitivity,drinking behavior and problem drinking in Japanese older men

Objectives

Many East Asians have the genetic polymorphisms rs1229984 in alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) and rs671 in aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2). Here we analyzed the relationships of the two genotypes with alcohol sensitivity, drinking behavior and problem drinking among older and younger men living in rural areas of Japan.

Methods

The subjects were 718 Japanese men aged 63.3 ± 10.8 (mean ± SD), categorized into the older (≥65 years, n = 357) and younger (<65 years, n = 361) groups. Facial flushing frequency, drinking behavior and positive CAGE results were compared among the genotypes using Bonferroni-corrected χ² test and a multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, BMI and lifestyle factors.

Results

The frequency of ‘always’ facial flushing among the ADH1B*1/*2 carriers was significantly lower than that among the ADH1B*2/*2 carriers in the older group (P < 0.01). The alcohol consumption (unit/day) in the ADH1B*1/*2 carriers tended to be higher compared with that in the ADH1B*2/*2 carriers among the older group (P = 0.050). In the younger group, no significant differences in alcohol sensitivity and drinking habits were generally found among the ADH1B genotypes. The ADH1B*1/*1 genotype tended to be positively associated with problem drinking in the older group (P = 0.080) but not in the younger group. The ALDH2 genotypes consistently and strongly affected the alcohol sensitivity, drinking behavior and problem drinking in both the younger and older group.

Conclusions

We for the first time observed a significant difference in alcohol sensitivity between ADH1B*1/*2 and ADH1B*2/*2 in older men aged 65 and above.