Posted on 03/05/2008 12:54:02 AM PST by neverdem
Previous observational studies have reported that heavy alcohol intake is a risk factor for hypertension but such studies may be confounded by factors such as diet, smoking, exercise levels and socio-economic position. Clinical trials exploring the link are difficult to implement and have limited follow-up time.
The Bristol study, led by Dr Sarah Lewis of the University's Department of Social Medicine, took a different approach focused on people who have a mutation on a gene which affects their body's ability to eliminate alcohol.
Alcohol is initially metabolised to an intermediate compound, acetaldehyde, which is further metabolised and then eliminated from the body. The major enzyme responsible for this elimination is alcohol dehydrohenase 2 (ALDH2).
In some people, a genetic mutation leads to an inability to metabolize acetaldehyde and causes an accumulation of acetaldehyde after alcohol intake. This mutation is common in some Asian populations and results in facial flushing after consumption of alcohol coupled with intense nausea, drowsiness, headache and other unpleasant symptoms. People with this mutation therefore drink much less than those without it
The researchers looked at the ALDH2 genotype, comparing the blood pressure of those who have this mutation -- the *2 *2 genotype -- with those who do not -- the *1 *1 genotype.
The study found that individuals with the *1 *1 genotype, who had an alcohol intake of around 3 units per day, had strikingly higher blood pressure than those with the *2 *2 genotype, who tend to drink only very small amounts, or no alcohol.
Dr Lewis said: "This study shows that alcohol intake may increase blood pressure to a much greater extent, even among moderate drinkers, than previously thought. Large-scale replication studies are required to confirm this finding and to improve the precision of our estimates."
Journal reference: Chen L, Davey Smith G, Harbord R, Lewis SJ (2008) Alcohol and blood pressure: A systematic review implementing a mendelian randomization approach. PLoS Med 5(3): e52. doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0050052
Adapted from materials provided by University of Bristol.
Hypertension is High Blood Pressure. Is Mendelian genetics enough?
FMCDH(BITS)
ping
Clueless on STDs, Throat Cancer, and Oral Sex
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list.
Getting out of bed in the morning and driving a car to work may cause car accidents and death.
This is why I always tell people to smoke pot instead.
I think we now know the swimmer's genetic makeup.
Not that it matters for me since I have about 2 drinks a week, but who has what genotype?
You just had to ask that question, didn't you?
Phenotype would have been a better word. Let me explain. The accumulation of aldehyde from the metabolism of ethanol by alcohol dehydrogenase and the subsequent metabolism of aldehyde by aldehyde dehydrogenase controls the amount of aldehyde that causes the flushing reaction, aka the "Antabuse reaction."
The press release from ScienceDaily used the wrong abbreviation for alcohol dehydrogenase 2, ALDH2. If you check PLoS Medicine link in comment# 1 or PubMed, ALDH2 is the abbreviation for aldehyde dehydrogenase 2.
Ethnic differences in level of response to alcohol between chinese americans and korean americans.
White devils are less likely to suffer from flushing.
Do you use that mouth to talk to your mother?
Yes, even after it was washed with brown soap! Octagon was real soap.
Thank God it wasn't Lifebouy. Soap poisoning...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.