Hangover Susceptibility in Relation to Aldehyde Dehydrogenase‐2 Genotype, Alcohol Flushing, and Mean Corpuscular Volume in Japanese Workers

Abstract

Inactive heterozygous ALDH2, alcohol flushing, and increased MCV were positively associated with hangover susceptibility in Japanese workers, suggesting that acetaldehyde is etiologically linked to the development of hangover.

Alcohol hangover: a critical review of explanatory factors

“…However, initial studies have described that abstainers and infrequent drinkers are more frequent in some Oriental population groups (Higuchi et al, 1994). In the field of hangover, one study reported a greater susceptibility in Oriental subjects, suggesting that high levels of acetaldehyde are associated with the development of hangover (Yokoyama et al, 2005). This study needs replication, but it highlights the hypothesis that the protective factor against alcoholism observed in East Asians with an inactive variant of aldehyde dehydrogenase may be related to the adverse experience of hangover.…”

Origin and dispersal of atypical aldehyde dehydrogenase ALDH2⁎487Lys

“…Studies have shown that this atypical allele ALDH2⁎487Lys could bring various consequences to the individuals who carry it, such as protective against alcohol dependence (Chen et al, 1999a,b;Luczak et al 2006;Maezawa et al 1995;Tu and Israel 1995), the risk of alcohol-related digestive tract cancers (Murata et al 1999;Yokoyama et al 1996aYokoyama et al ,b,c, 1998. The variants have also been studied for association with fetal alcohol syndrome, cardiovascular disease, gout, asthma, hangover susceptibility, and clearance of xenobiotics (Crabb et al, 2004;Takada et al, 1994;Wall et al, 2000;Yokoyama et al, 2005). Moreover, a recent study has shown that the activation of ALDH2 is important for protection from ischemic damage to the heart and the individuals carrying atypical ALDH2 was in an adverse situation when facing the risk of heart diseases (Chen et al, 2008).…”

“…On the other hand, epidemiological studies have shown that the risk of alcohol-related digestive tract cancers, such as oro-pharynx and oesophagus, is markedly increased in Asian subjects who are deficient in the ALDH2 enzyme (Murata et al, 1999;Yokoyama et al, 1996aYokoyama et al, ,b,c, 1998. The variants have also been studied for association with cancer, fetal alcohol syndrome, gout, asthma, hangover susceptibility, and clearance of xenobiotics (Crabb et al, 2004;Takada et al, 1994;Wall et al, 2000;Yokoyama et al, 2005). Extensive population frequency data on ALDH2 showed that the atypical ALDH2 gene (ALDH2⁎487Lys) is extremely rare in European, Negroids, Papua New Guineans, Australian Aborigines, and Aurocanians (South Chile), but widely prevalent among East Asian (Goedde et al, 1992).…”

Clinical effectiveness of KSS formula, a traditional folk remedy for alcohol hangover symptoms

“…The main symptoms and complaints reported by AH sufferers are headache, tremor, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and thirst [1][2][3]. AH may also have negative impacts in occupational, cognitive, or visual-spatial skill performance [4,5]. Hypoglycemia, dehydration, disturbances in endocrine and immune system, intoxication caused by residual ethanol, acetaldehyde, or various congeners are all theorized causes reported to date [1][2][3][4][5][6].…”