title: Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2-a potential genetic risk factor for lung function among southern Chinese: evidence from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Asia, moderate alcohol users have better lung function. Never users have more inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) alleles (A) potentially generating confounding because inactive alleles may increase acetaldehyde exposure and reduce lung function.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined the association of ALDH2 genotypes with percentage predicted lung function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second; forced vital capacity) for age, sex, and height among 5641 older Chinese using multivariable linear regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ALDH2 genotypes were associated with alcohol use and height but not other attributes. Inactive alleles were inversely associated with lung function (percentage predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second -1.52%, 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.52% to -0.51% for one inactive allele and -2.05%, 95% CI, -3.85% to -0.26% for two inactive alleles compared with two active alleles; and for percentage predicted forced vital capacity -1.25%, 95% CI -2.15% to -0.35% and -1.65%, 95% CI, -3.25% to -0.04%). The association of moderate use with lung function was attenuated after adjusting for ALDH2, in addition to other potential confounders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Previous findings in Chinese may be confounded by ALDH2. High frequency of inactive ALDH2 alleles in East Asia may exacerbate the effect of environmental acetaldehyde exposure on lung function and potentially on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Shiu Lun
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Au Yeung
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou No. 12 Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Chaoqiang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Kar Keung
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Peymane
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adab
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Kin Bong
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou No. 12 Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Guangzhou No. 12 Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Weisen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. Electronic address: hrmrlth@hkucc.hku.hk.
authors.forename: Tai Hing
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Gabriel Matthew
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; CUNY School of Public Health, Hunter College, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Catherine Mary
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Schooling
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D000071396:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial; D000483:Alleles; D044466:Asian People / Q000235:genetics*; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C096127:ALDH2 protein, human; D000444:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase; D000071396:Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial
keywords: Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2; Lung function; Southern Chinese