Gene-alcohol interactions in the metabolic syndrome

Recent studies have reported that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a lesser prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, this relationship is still confusing and the presence of gene-environment interactions has been suggested. Our aim is to summarize evidence for gene-alcohol interactions in the MetS.

Research in gene-alcohol interactions applied to MetS is very complex due to the difficulties surrounding the definition of phenotype, environment and genotype, as well as in estimating the influence of the social context. In the MetS there is a constellation of metabolic disturbances the definition of which is still changing. Thus, most studies that have reported on gene-alcohol interactions have done so by analyzing isolated components. Likewise, the definition of alcohol consumption is also complex given that apart from the amount of ethanol consumed, the type of drink, the frequency of consumption, etc., may be important. No less difficult is the definition of genotype as there are many candidate genes involved, including not only those relevant for each phenotype studied, but also those related with alcohol metabolism, as well as those related to alcohol intake.

Although various studies exist that show statistically significant interactions between alcohol consumption and MetS components, a greater integration of variables as well as greater homogeneity in definitions is required.