title: Association of restriction fragment length polymorphism in alcohol dehydrogenase 2 gene with alcohol induced liver damage.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the role of genetically determined differences in the enzymes of alcohol metabolism in susceptibility to liver damage from misusing alcohol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Use of pADH36 probe to study PVU II restriction length fragment polymorphism in alcohol dehydrogenase 2 gene in white alcohol misusers and controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Teaching hospital referral centres for liver disease and alcohol misuse.
  
  
  METHODS
  45 white alcohol misusers (38 with alcoholic liver disease) and 23 healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Alcohol misuse, the presence and severity of alcoholic liver disease, alcohol dependency, and family history of alcohol misuse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A two allele polymorphism (A and B) was identified. In control subjects the allele frequencies were 85% for A and 15% for B compared with 37% and 63% respectively in alcohol misusers (p < 0.001). B allele was significantly associated with severe liver damage (p < 0.05) as well as alcohol dependency and family history of alcohol misuse compared with controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Inherited variation in enzymes of ethanol metabolism may contribute to the pathogenesis of alcohol induced liver damage. This supports the presence of a genetic component in alcohol misuse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London.
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Ward
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Warren-Perry
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Peters
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
chemical_list: D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase