Identification and characterisation of alcohol-induced flushing in Caucasian subjects.
The prevalence of the alcohol-flushing reaction was assessed in a group of healthy Caucasian medical students (200) by self-reporting and was found to occur in approximately 50% of female and 8% of male subjects. In most of the alcohol flushers there were other family members similarly affected. The presence of this side-effect after a small quantity of alcohol did not necessarily decrease the amount of alcohol consumed. A test dose of ethanol (0.4 g/kg body weight) confirmed the presence of the alcohol-induced flushing, which was of much shorter duration and intensity than that of the Oriental alcohol-induced flusher, as measured by laser Doppler velocimetry, and was not associated with high circulating concentrations of acetaldehyde. Topical administration of 5 M acetaldehyde showed an enhanced erythema in Caucasian flushers compared to non-flushing controls. This effect was not observed with topical ethanol. Low erythrocyte ALDH1 activity was found in all Caucasians (n = 30) who showed the alcohol-induced flushing reaction.
Ward
R J
RJ
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Kings College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, U.K.
McPherson
A J
AJ
Chow
C
C
Ealing
J
J
Sherman
D I
DI
Yoshida
A
A
Peters
T J
TJ
D000079:Acetaldehyde / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000235:genetics; D000445:Aldehyde Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005483:Flushing / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D017354:Point Mutation; D012307:Risk Factors; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics*
D000445:Aldehyde Oxidoreductases; C018699:aldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD(P)+); D000079:Acetaldehyde