Sensitivity of human lymphocytes to acetaldehyde: comparison between alcoholic and control subjects

The action of acetaldehyde (ACH), the first metabolite of ethanol, was studied on human lymphocytes stimulated in vitro by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or Concanavalin A (Con A). ACH caused a dose-dependent decrease of [3H]thymidine uptake in lymphocytes from both alcoholic and control subjects. The area under the curve of [3H]thymidine incorporation as a function of ACH concentration was determined for each subject and referred to as the lymphocyte sensitivity index. Indexes for alcoholic subjects were found to be higher than those for controls, indicating a lower sensitivity to ACH of lymphocytes from alcoholics. We also found a wide range of sensitivity indexes within the same group. These results are consistent with the current hypothesis that not everybody is at equal risk to develop alcohol related disorders.