Association of alcohol dehydrogenase 2 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 genotypes with fasting plasma glucose levels in Japanese male and female workers.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to clarify the effect of alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (ADH2) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) genotypes on the diabetic risk in Japanese workers.


METHODS
At the time of mandatory health checkup, the ADH2 and ALDH2 genotypes, as well as fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels, body mass index (BMI), smoking habit, and weekly alcohol intake, were examined in 492 men and 183 women working at motor vehicle dealerships.


RESULTS
In using two-way analysis of variance to manipulate ADH2 and ALDH2 genotypes and alcohol intake (>70 g/week for men and >35 g/week for women), the FPG level after the adjustment for age, BMI, smoking habit, and another genotype was significantly higher in the men with ADH2*1/1 genotype than in those with the other genotypes, but there was no significant difference in the FPG level between the men with and without ALDH2*1/1 genotype. In contrast, the women with ALDH2*1/1 genotype had significantly lower FPG levels than those with the other genotypes, but there was no significant difference in the FPG level between the women with and without ADH2*1/1 genotype. Also, a significant interaction between ethanol intake and ALDH2 genotypes was seen only in the women.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that genotypes of ADH2 and ALDH2 can modify the diabetic risk, irrespective of amounts of alcohol consumed. Also, there may be sex differences in the effect of these enzyme genotypes on glucose metabolism.
Dakeishi
Miwako
M
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Akita University School of Medicine, Akita City, Japan.
Murata
Katsuyuki
K
Sasaki
Makiko
M
Tamura
Akiko
A
Iwata
Toyoto
T
D000328:Adult; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D000071396:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D001786:Blood Glucose; C489332:ADH1B protein, human; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase; C096127:ALDH2 protein, human; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase; D000071396:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial