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. 1993 Nov 27;307(6916):1388–1390. doi: 10.1136/bmj.307.6916.1388

Association of restriction fragment length polymorphism in alcohol dehydrogenase 2 gene with alcohol induced liver damage.

D I Sherman 1, R J Ward 1, M Warren-Perry 1, R Williams 1, T J Peters 1
PMCID: PMC1679642  PMID: 7903883

Abstract

OBJECTIVE--To investigate the role of genetically determined differences in the enzymes of alcohol metabolism in susceptibility to liver damage from misusing alcohol. DESIGN--Use of pADH36 probe to study PVU II restriction length fragment polymorphism in alcohol dehydrogenase 2 gene in white alcohol misusers and controls. SETTING--Teaching hospital referral centres for liver disease and alcohol misuse. SUBJECTS--45 white alcohol misusers (38 with alcoholic liver disease) and 23 healthy controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Alcohol misuse, the presence and severity of alcoholic liver disease, alcohol dependency, and family history of alcohol misuse. RESULTS--A two allele polymorphism (A and B) was identified. In control subjects the allele frequencies were 85% for A and 15% for B compared with 37% and 63% respectively in alcohol misusers (p < 0.001). B allele was significantly associated with severe liver damage (p < 0.05) as well as alcohol dependency and family history of alcohol misuse compared with controls. CONCLUSION--Inherited variation in enzymes of ethanol metabolism may contribute to the pathogenesis of alcohol induced liver damage. This supports the presence of a genetic component in alcohol misuse.

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