Association of the ADH2*2 allele with reduced ethanol consumption in Jewish men in Israel: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
This study provides preliminary evidence on the associations between alcohol consumption patterns and polymorphisms of the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymes in a Jewish population.


METHODS
Two groups of Jewish men were studied--one group (n = 92) representative of the free-living population of Jerusalem and generally light consumers of ethanol and the other group (n = 53) composed of treatment-enrolled heroin dependent individuals in the same city, most with a history of heavy daily drinking. All participants were interviewed regarding sociodemographic background, present and past alcohol consumption patterns, and familial characteristics including alcohol problems among first-degree relatives. Polymorphisms of the ADH2, ADH3 and ALDH loci were determined for all participants.


RESULTS
The less common allele of the ADH2 locus (ADH2*2 allele frequency approximately 20% in Ashkenazic and non-Ashkenazic members of both groups) was related to a reduced mean level of peak weekly alcohol intake in the two groups. In multiple regression models adjusting for family history of alcohol problems and other factors, the ADH2*2 allele accounted for 20% and 30% of the explained alcohol intake variance in these two groups, respectively. Results from a logistic regression indicated that the ADH2*2 allele was also related to infrequent drinking in both groups. Evidence for an independent association between the ADH3 polymorphism and alcohol consumption patterns was not found. The ALDH gene was not polymorphic in this population.


CONCLUSIONS
This report describes for the first time an association between alcohol consumption patterns and a polymorphism at the ADH2 locus in a Jewish population. The relatively high frequency of the ADH2*2 allele may contribute to the seemingly lower levels of alcohol consumption and heightened sensitivity to alcohol observed among Jews.
Neumark
Y D
YD
Department of Social Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
Friedlander
Y
Y
Thomasson
H R
HR
Li
T K
TK
D000328:Adult; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics; D000483:Alleles; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D005787:Gene Frequency / Q000235:genetics; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000235:genetics / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000235:genetics*; D007557:Israel; D007585:Jews / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
D007527:Isoenzymes; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase