[Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) polymorphism and drinking behavior].

An atypical allele (ALDH2*2) in low K(m) aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2), which is highly prevalent in Asians, may influence drinking behavior because of higher production of acetaldehyde in the liver. High alcohol sensitivity such as flushing after drinking has been shown to be mainly due to the atypical ALDH2 genotypes. The atypical allele is associated with alcohol-induced liver injury and some cancers. Recently, the researches on the polymorphisms not only in the gene itself but also its frequencies in different Asian populations have been made great progress. Three factors, including different sex, age and geography, were also analyzed with the genotypes of ALDH2 in Chinese populations.