[Determination of alcohol dehydrogenase genotype: no correlation between isoenzyme pattern and liver cirrhosis]

Mounting evidence from various fields of research links the oxidation product of alcohol, acetaldehyde, with the development of alcohol abuse-related pathology. One factor governing the production of acetaldehyde is the genetically determined pattern of class I alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzymes, consisting of "fast" beta 2 and gamma 1 and "slow" beta 1 and gamma 2 subunits. Alcoholics carrying the beta 2 and gamma 1 genes might, therefore, be more susceptible to alcohol-related liver disease. To verify this hypothesis we developed a method based on the polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion in order to genotype individuals with respect to their alcohol dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern. In a total of 100 caucasian individuals the following genotypes were determined: beta 1 beta 1, 92; beta 1 beta 2, 8; beta 2 beta 2 0; gamma 1 gamma 1, 38; gamma 1 gamma 2, 51; gamma 2 gamma 2, 11. No statistically significant differences in the distribution of isoenzymes were detectable between alcoholics with liver disease, patients with non-alcohol abuse-related liver disease, patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy controls.