[Contribution of the ALDH2 and CYP2E1 genes to flushing response and drinking patterns in Japanese healthy volunteers].

Relationship between genotypes of the loci for ALDH2 and CYP2E1 and the flushing response as well as drinking pattern were investigated among 31 Japanese healthy persons. In 14 persons who showed flushing symptom and whose ALDH2 genotype was heterozygote (ALDH2*1/ALDH2*2), 6 persons whose CYP2E1 genotype was mutant homozygote or heterozygote (C2/C2 or C1/C2), reported to drink more frequently and their alcohol consumption was higher than that of C1/C1 carriers. However, 2 subjects possessing C2 allele in 3 persons carrying ALDH2 homozygous genotype showed very low alcohol consumption. It is concluded that a person heterozygous for ALDH2 and either mutant homozygous or heterozygous for CYP2E1 may become able to drink more alcohol, if his drinking pattern grows more frequent.