Depression, Alcoholism, and Genetic Alcohol Sensitivity Regulated by ALDH2 and ADH1B Polymorphisms among Japanese Community-Dwelling Adults

• Main Authors: Kouichi Yoshimasu (Author), Shigeki Takemura (Author), Kanami Tsuno (Author), Mariko Hayashida (Author), Kenji Kinoshita (Author), Kanae Mure (Author), Tatsuya Takeshita (Author), Kazuhisa Miyashita (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Archives of Depression and Anxiety - Peertechz Publications, 2016-09-13.
• Subjects: Research Article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

<p><strong>Background</strong>: Although strong association between drinking and depression as well as alcohol- related disorders (ARD) has been reported, the relationship between potential ability to drink (genetic alcohol sensitivity) and depression or ARD is unclear. Genetic alcohol sensitivity is regulated by two alcohol metabolic enzyme genes, ADH1B and ALDH2 polymorphisms. We have already evaluated the association between depression and these polymorphisms in Japanese white-collar workers.Current study expanded this issue on community-dwelling relatively older adults. </p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: A total of 654 community-dwelling people were interviewed regarding their ARD by a brief psychiatric structured interview (MINI). Severity of depression was evaluated by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). We investigated the relationship of ADH1B rs1229984 and ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism combinations with depression and ARD risks. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the associations between those polymorphisms and mental disorders, adjusting for sex, age, number of family members, physical exercise, job status, and serum lipid abnormality. The degree of alcohol sensitivity was classified into five groups according to the combination of two enzyme genotypes (Group I-V, in order from the lowest alcohol sensitivity). <br></p><p><strong>Results</strong>: Those with ALDH2 1 / * 2 and ADH1B * 1 / * 1 were likely to be at an increased risk of depression (OR 6.63, 95% CI 1.12-39.21). On the other hand, a genotype combination of ALDH2 * 1 / * 1 and ADH1B * 1 / * 2 or * 2 / * 2 was significantly associated with an increased risk of ARD (OR 3.93, 95% CI 1.86-8.31). Similar findings were observed when depression and ARD were combined as an outcome variable. <br></p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong>: Genetic alcohol sensitivity with the genotype combination of ALDH2 * 1 / * 2 and ADH1B * 1 / * 1 was significantly associated with an increased risk of depression, while Japanese community-dwellers in rural areas with ALDH2 * 1 / * 1 and ADH1B * 1 / * 2 or * 2 / * 2 were at a significantly elevated risk of ARD. </p>