Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2—a potential genetic risk factor for lung function among southern Chinese: evidence from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study

Shiu Lun Au Yeung, Chaoqiang Jiang, Kar Keung Cheng, Peymane Adab, Kin Bong Hubert Lam, Bin Liu, Weisen Zhang, Tai Hing Lam, Gabriel Matthew Leung, Catherine Mary Schooling

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    Abstract

    Purpose
    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.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)606-611
    Number of pages6
    JournalAnnals of Epidemiology
    Volume24
    Issue number8
    Early online date6 Jun 2014
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2014

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