Differences in subjective response to alcohol in heavy- and light-drinking Chinese men versus Caucasian American men

To compare subjective responses to alcohol among Han Chinese and Caucasian American males.

Double-blinded, placebo-controlled human laboratory design. Participants completed three randomized experimental sessions with high and low alcohol and placebo beverages.

Chinese participants were examined at Xinjiang Medical University, China. Caucasian participants were examined at the University of Chicago, USA.

Seventy Han Chinese (35 heavy/35 light drinkers) and 75 Caucasian Americans (43 heavy/32 light drinkers).

Breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) and the 'stimulation' and 'sedation' subscales of the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale were assessed at pre-drink baseline and four time-points after beverage consumption. The 'like' and 'want' subscales of the Drug Effects Questionnaire were also assessed at the post-drink assessments.

Comparisons with light drinkers showed that high- and low-dose alcohol produced decreases in stimulation, liking and wanting in Chinese versus Caucasians (P < 0.05), and dose-dependent increases in sedation in both groups (P < 0.001). Among heavy drinkers, high-dose alcohol produced higher stimulation (P < 0.001) but with concomitant higher sedation for both doses (P < 0.05) for Chinese versus Caucasians. Alcohol also demonstrated significantly lower liking (P < 0.001) in Chinese versus Caucasian heavy drinkers for both doses. Interestingly, both groups showed dose-dependent increases in wanting relative to placebo (P < 0.05), but the magnitude of the increase was lower in Chinese drinkers.

Stimulating effects of alcohol are predominant in Chinese male binge drinkers, as has been found in Caucasians, but with less hedonic and motivational reward, potentially explaining some of the lower risk for alcohol disorders in Asian subgroups.