Genetic variation of alcohol dehydrogenase type 1C (ADH1C), alcohol consumption, and metabolic cardiovascular risk factors: results from the IMMIDIET study.
BACKGROUND
Moderate alcohol consumption is protective against cardiovascular disease (CAD). ADHs are major enzymes of alcohol metabolism. A polymorphism in the alcohol dehydrogenases 1C gene (ADH1C) was reportedly associated with the protective effect of alcohol consumption on CAD risk and risk factor levels.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to investigate whether the association of alcohol consumption with metabolic risk factors for CAD is related to ADH1C variants.


METHODS
IMMIDIET is a cross-sectional study of 974 healthy male-female pairs living together, randomly recruited in Belgium, Italy and England. The rs698 ADH1C polymorphism was genotyped. A 1-year recall food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate alcohol intake.


RESULTS
The intake of alcohol did not vary in relation to ADH1C genotypes. BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio, blood pressure, HDL or total cholesterol, triglycerides and FVII:ag levels were positively associated with alcohol intake in men (multivariate ANOVA). Regression coefficient for alcohol and BMI or WC was progressively higher in heterozygotes and gamma 2 homozygotes as compared to gamma 1 homozygotes (p=0.006 and p=0.03 for interaction, respectively). No interaction was found for other risk factors. In women, alcohol intake was positively associated with HDL, LDL and FVII:ag levels but no interaction was found between ADH1C polymorphism and any risk factor.


CONCLUSIONS
Regulation of ADH1C genotype on the association between alcohol consumption, BMI and WC was found in men from different European countries. In men homozygous for the gamma 2 alleles, intake of alcohol was positively associated with both BMI and WC values.
Latella
Maria Carmela
MC
Laboratory of Genetic and Environmental Epidemiology, Research Laboratories, John Paul II Centre for High Technology Research and Education in Biomedical Sciences, Catholic University, Largo Gemelli 1, 86100 Campobasso, Italy.
Di Castelnuovo
Augusto
A
de Lorgeril
Michel
M
Arnout
Jozef
J
Cappuccio
Francesco P
FP
Krogh
Vittorio
V
Siani
Alfonso
A
van Dongen
Martien
M
Donati
Maria Benedetta
MB
de Gaetano
Giovanni
G
Iacoviello
Licia
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006579:Heterozygote; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000235:genetics
C420272:ADH1C protein, human; D000426:Alcohol Dehydrogenase