Alcohol is a high-risk factor of the head and neck tumor, and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase type 2（ALDH2） is an important alcohol metabolism enzyme in the human body, whose function is to metabolize acetaldehyde into non-toxic acetic acid in the human body. Studies have shown that ALDH2 gene polymorphisms increase the risk of head and neck tumors by affecting enzyme activity to regulate the rate of alcohol metabolism in the body, and high levels of ALDH2 expression are beneficial for enhancing head and neck tumor immunity and improve prognosis. This article aims to review the research progress on the relationship between ALDH2 and the occurrence and treatment of head and neck tumors.
Humans ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/enzymology* ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphisms and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). METHODS: A total of 90 Chinese patients with malignant tumors receiving chemotherapy for the first time were recruited in this study. The occurrence of CINV was observed within 120 h after treatment with docetaxel and cis-platinum chemotherapy (DP regimen). The data of the patients (including age, gender, tumor stage, habitual alcohol consumption, motion sickness, morning sickness, and average sleep time prior to chemotherapy) were collected through a questionnaire. ALDH2 rs671 polymorphisms of the patients were analyzed using a multiple single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping, and the Hardy-Weinberg equation was used for genetic linkage analysis. The correlations between the factors including ALDH2 rs671 polymorphisms and the occurrence of CINV were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of CINV was 48.9% among the patients receiving their first chemotherapy with DP regimen. Univariate analysis indicated that the genetic polymorphisms of ALDH2 rs671 were significantly correlated with the occurrence of CINV (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that ALDH2 rs671 mutation (OR: 3.019, 95% CI: 1.056-8.628, P < 0.05) and average sleep time prior to chemotherapy no longer than 6 h (OR: 2.807, 95% CI: 1.033-7.628, P < 0.05) were risk factors for CINV in patients with malignant tumors receiving the first chemotherapy with DP regimen. CONCLUSION ALDH2 gene mutation at rs671 is a risk factor contributing to the occurrence of CINV, and understanding of the underlying mechanism may help to more effectively control the occurrence of CINV.
Humans ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects* ; Nausea/genetics* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Vomiting/genetics* ; Neoplasms/drug therapy*

Objective To explore the change rules of blood ethanol and blood acetaldehyde concentration, the impairment of psychomotor functions of different acetaldehyde dehydrogenase （ALDH） 2 genotype individuals after alcohol consumption and the relationship among them. Methods The ALDH2 genotypes in seventy-nine healthy volunteers were obtained by SNaPshot^TM method, then divided into ALDH2*1/*1 （wild type） and ALDH2*1/*2 （mutant type） group. After volunteers consumed 1.0 g/kg of alcohol, blood ethanol concentration and blood acetaldehyde concentration at a series of time points before and after alcohol consumption and psychomotor functions, such as, visual selective response time, auditory simple response time and tracking experiment were detected. Biphasic alcohol response questionnaires were collected. Results After alcohol consumption, ALDH2*1/*2 group's blood ethanol and blood acetaldehyde concentration reached the peak earlier than ALDH2*1/*1 group. Its blood acetaldehyde concentration was higher than that of ALDH2*1/*1 group, 1-6 h after alcohol consumption. The psychomotor functions, such as visual selective response time and auditory simple response time in ALDH2*1/*2 group were more significantly impaired than those in ALDH2*1/*1 group after alcohol consumption. There was no statistical significance between the two groups in excitement or sedation reactions （P>0.05）. Pearson correlation coefficient test showed that blood acetaldehyde concentration was related with psychomotor function. Conclusion There are significant differences between the psychomotor function of ALDH2 wild type and mutant type individuals after alcohol consumption estimated to be related to the difference in blood acetaldehyde concentration after alcohol consumption.
Acetaldehyde/metabolism* ; Alcohol Drinking/blood* ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase/genetics* ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial ; Aldehyde Oxidoreductases ; Ethanol/metabolism* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic/genetics* ; Psychomotor Performance/physiology*

BACKGROUND: Both aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 polymorphism and lifestyle behaviors are involved in coronary artery disease (CAD), while the interaction between them is currently unknown. METHODS: A nested case-control study was conducted in 161 patients with CAD and 495 controls in dyslipidemia population in Yinzhou District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, in August 2013. Anthropometric data and blood samples were collected, demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviors information were obtained by a face-to-face interview, dietary intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire, and genomic DNA was genotyped. RESULTS: Carriers with increasing number of A alleles had an elevated CAD risk compared with G allele carriers (adjusted OR = 1.483, 95% CI = 1.114-1.974). Carriers of rs671 A/G and A/A genotypes had a higher CAD risk than carriers of G/G genotype (adjusted OR = 1.492, 95% CI = 1.036-2.148). Similarly, individuals with rs671 A/A genotype had a higher CAD risk than individuals with A/G and G/G genotypes (adjusted OR = 2.161, 95% CI = 1.139-4.101). We found a borderline additive interaction between regular fried food intake and A/A and A/G genotypes, and a significantly additive interaction between sedentary/light physical activity and A/A and A/G genotypes. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with A/A or A/G genotypes of rs671 have a higher CAD risk, if they lack physical activity and take fried food regularly, than individuals with G/G genotypes. These findings can help to provide a guide to targeted heart health management.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Coronary Artery Disease ; blood ; genetics ; Dyslipidemias ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors

Astrocytes are closely associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, their precise roles in AD pathogenesis remain controversial. One of the reasons behind the different results reported by different groups might be that astrocytes were targeted at different stages of disease progression. In this study, by crossing hAPP (human amyloid precursor protein)-J20 mice with a line of GFAP-TK mice, we found that astrocytes were activated specifically at an early stage of AD before the occurrence of amyloid plaques, while microglia were not affected by this crossing. Activation of astrocytes at the age of 3-5 months did not affect the proteolytic processing of hAPP and amyloid plaque loads in the brains of hAPP-J20 mice. Our data suggest that early activation of astrocytes does not affect the deposition of amyloid β in an animal model of AD.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Alzheimer Disease ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Astrocytes ; metabolism ; Brain ; pathology ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Disease Models, Animal ; Gene Expression Regulation ; genetics ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; Glutamine ; metabolism ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Microfilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Mutation ; genetics ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism

The study reports a girl with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy. The girl was admitted at the age of 2 years because of intermittent convulsions for 1.5 years and psychomotor retardation. She had a history of "hypoxia" in the neonatal period. At the age of 5 months recurrent epileptic seizures occurred. The child was resistant to antiepileptic drugs, and had many more seizures when she got cold or fever. She also had a lot of convulsive status epilepticus. No discharges were found during several video-EEG monitorings. Cerebral MRI examinations showed normal results. So Dravet syndrome was clinically suspected. ALDH7N1 gene mutation analysis revealed two heterozygote mutations, and pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy was thus confirmed. Seizures were generally controlled after pyridoxine supplementation.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; Child, Preschool ; Epilepsy ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Mutation ; Psychomotor Disorders ; etiology ; Seizures ; etiology

BACKGROUNDAldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is involved in the pathophysiological processes of cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies showed that mutant ALDH2 could increase oxidative stress and is a susceptible factor for hypertension. In addition, wild-type ALDH2 could improve the endothelial functions, therefore reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to explore the frequency of the Glu504Lys polymorphism of the ALDH2 gene and its relation to carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in a group of patients with essential hypertension (EH) and to investigate the association between the Glu504Lys polymorphism and CIMT in Chinese Han patients with EH.

METHODSIn this study, 410 Chinese Han patients with EH who received physical examinations at the People's Hospital of Sichuan Province (China) were selected. DNA microarray chip was used for the genotyping of the Glu504Lys polymorphism of the ALDH2 gene. The differences in CIMT among patients with different Glu504Lys ALDH2 genotypes were analyzed.

RESULTSThe mean CIMT of the patients carrying AA/AG and GG genotypes was 1.02 ± 0.31 mm and 0.78 ± 0.28 mm, respectively. One-way ANOVA showed that the CIMT of the patients carrying the AA/AG genotype was significantly higher than in the ones carrying the GG genotype (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression showed that the Glu504Lys AA/AG genotype of the ALDH2 gene was one of the major factors influencing the CIMT in patients with EH (odds ratio = 3.731, 95% confidence interval = 1.589-8.124, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSThe Glu504Lys polymorphism of the ALDH2 gene is associated with the CIMT of Chinese Han patients with EH in Sichuan, China.

Adult ; Aged ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; China ; Essential Hypertension ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo analyze clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis in a cohort of children with vitamin B6 responsive infantile spasms.

METHODTen patients were diagnosed as vitamin B6 responsive infantile spasms in Peking University First Hospital between January 2012 and May 2015.The clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment process, video-electroencephalogram, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), epilepsy related genes and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTOf the 10 patients, 5 were male, and 5 were female. Eight of them were normal at birth, and the other 2 patients had intracranial hemorrhage or anoxia.The age of epilepsy onset was from 3.5 to 8.0 months.All patients presented spasms primarily.Interictal electroencephalogram (EEG) showed hypsarrhythmia at seizures onset. MRI showed normal in 8 patients, and subarachnoid hemorrhage or multiple encephalomalacia foci after hemorrhage respectively in the other 2 patients. The results of blood biochemical, cerebrospinal fluid examination and urinary metabolic screening were negative. Epilepsy related genes including ALDH7A1 gene analysis showed wild type in all patients. Two patients were classified as symptomatic and eight might be idiopathic or cryptogenic. The initial dose of vitamin B6 was 10.0 mg/(kg·d). The interval between seizures onset and taking vitamin B6 was 0 to 4.0 months. Seizures disappeared completely within a week after administration of vitamin B6 in 9 patients and in 1.5 months in one patient.Of the 8 patients whose seizures were controlled completely during the follow-up period, 7 patients' EEG recovered within 1.5 to 4.0 months and then continued to be normal. The EEG of the rest of a patient returned to normal, but showed abnormal discharges after stopping taking vitamin B6. Two patients' EEG continued abnormal and seizures recurred due to vitamin B6 withdrawal. At the last follow-up, seizures were controlled in all patients. Drug treatment in one case had stopped. Vitamin B6 was used in 9 patients at a dose of 0.4 to 10.0 mg/(kg·d). Among them, vitamin B6 monotherapy or coadministration with one low dose antiepileptic drug was applied in 6 or 3 patients respectively. The psychomotor development was normal in 5 patients, mild delay in 3 patients, and severe delay in 2 patients with autism behavior. Of the 2 symptomatic patients, one developed normally and the other showed severe delay.

CONCLUSIONVitamin B6 might have effects on both idiopathic or cryptogenic and symptomatic patients, especially for the former. High dose vitamin B6 should be first tried in all patients with infantile spasms. Patients who had response to vitamin B6 could be controlled within a short time and might have better outcomes. Seizures were not easy to relapse in those whose seizures were controlled and EEG recovered completely. Vitamin B6 could be gradually reduced during the course and might be withdrawn in the future. The recurrence of seizures was closely related to EEG abnormality.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; Anticonvulsants ; therapeutic use ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Spasms, Infantile ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Vitamin B 6 ; therapeutic use

PURPOSE: The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene has been implicated in the development of alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) in East Asians. However, the results are inconsistent. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the associations between the ALDH2 polymorphism and the risk of ALC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant studies were retrieved by searching PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang and Veipu databases up to January 10, 2015. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using either the fixed- or random effects model. RESULTS: A total of twelve case-control studies included 1003 cases and 2011 controls were included. Overall, the ALDH2 polymorphism was associated with a decreased risk of ALC (*1/*2 vs. *1/*1: OR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.61-0.99). However, in stratification analysis by country, we failed to detect any association among Chinese, Korean or Japanese populations. CONCLUSION: The pooled evidence suggests that ALDH2 polymorphism may be an important protective factor for ALC in East Asians.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial/*genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/*genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic/*ethnology/*genetics ; Odds Ratio ; Polymorphism, Genetic/*genetics ; Protective Factors

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), as one of the most important alcohol metabolizing enzymes, plays a significant role in the detoxification process of acetaldehyde which is a main carcinogenic product of alcoholic metabolism. Alteration in its genotypes (particularly at the site of rs671) is closely associated with a variety of tumors in drinkers. Recent advance in the research of the association of the ALDH2 gene rs671 polymorphisms with cancer susceptibility in drinkers is reviewed.
Alcohol Drinking ; genetics ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; genetics ; Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; etiology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic