ALDH2*2 Allele is a Negative Risk Factor for Cerebral Infarction in Chinese Women

Abstract

Unlike its reported role in the cardiovascular diseases, little information is available for mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) in the cerebrovascular function. We investigated the different effects of ALDH2 genotypes on the risk of cerebral infarction between the genders, because different genders had different smoking and/or dinking status which are also risk factors for cerebral infarction. 247 healthy Chinese Han people (controls, group 1), 287 Chinese Han male patients with cerebral infarction (group 2), and 82 Chinese Han female patients with cerebral infarction (group 3) were involved in this study. The frequencies of the ALDH2*2 allele in group 3 were significantly higher than those in other groups (with P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). The difference of ALDH2*2 allele frequency between group 1 and group 2 was not significant (P = 0.652). After adjustment for smoking and drinking status, the male patients without smoking or drinking status (group 4) had higher ALDH2*2 allele frequency than group 1, but the difference was still not significant (P = 0.139). Thus, we conclude that ALDH2*2 allele may be a significant negative risk factor for cerebral infarction in Chinese women [odds ratio (OR) = 2.207, 95% CI 1.416-3.439]. But for Chinese male patients, the negative effects of ALDH2*2 allele on cerebral infarction which might be concealed by other risk factors were not significant.

Associations between aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 genetic polymorphisms, lifestyles and hypertension risk in Chinese Han people

“…Previous studies demonstrated that the frequency of ALDH2 G allele differed significantly among different races, even among different East Asian populations 38 , 39 . Previous studies showed that the ALDH2 genetic polymorphism plays an important role in several pathological conditions, including hepatitis, certain types of carcinomas, coronary artery disease, cerebral infarction 40 – 42 .…”

ALDH 2 conferred neuroprotection on cerebral ischemic injury by alleviating mitochondria-related apoptosis through JNK/caspase-3 signing pathway

“…Most importantly, ALDH2 is widely expressed in glial cells and neurons of the brain [10][11][12] while Alda-1 (N-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-2,6-dichlorobenzamid), a well-characterized ALDH2 agonist, have also been shown to provide efficacious neuroprotective effects against ischemic injury in the brain [41]. Furthermore, ALDH2*2 allele frequencies were found to be significantly lower among stroke patients in several epidemiological analyses [43,44]. About half of East Asia's populations are heterozygous for ALDH2, which represents a higher risk factor for stroke [45].…”

Role of ADH2 and ALDH2 gene polymorphisms in the development of Parkinson's disease in a Chinese population

“…Polymorphisms in ALDH2 can influence the expression and function of this protein, and consequently increase susceptibility of the individual to a variety of diseases of the central nervous system (Hao et al, 2011;Yao et al, 2011;Li et al, 2015). In a study conducted by Li et al (2015), which included 369 Chinese patients with cerebral infarction and 247 healthy Chinese subjects, it was shown that the A allele in ALDH2 may be a significant risk factor for cerebral infarction in Chinese females .…”

“…In a study conducted by Li et al (2015), which included 369 Chinese patients with cerebral infarction and 247 healthy Chinese subjects, it was shown that the A allele in ALDH2 may be a significant risk factor for cerebral infarction in Chinese females . Notably, Yao et al (2011) stated that the A allele in ALDH2 is an independent protective variable for patients who have had stroke and have a history of heavy alcohol consumption.…”