@article{ref1,
title="An examination of ALDH2 genotypes, alcohol metabolism and the flushing response in Native Americans",
journal="Journal of studies on alcohol",
year="1999",
author="Gill, K. and Eagle Elk, M. and Liu, Y. and Deitrich, Richard A.",
volume="60",
number="2",
pages="149-158",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to examine the relationship between aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) genotype and the flushing response in a population of Native Americans. METHOD: Objective measures of the flushing response were obtained by monitoring skin temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, as well as blood alcohol concentrations, in flushing and nonflushing Native Americans (n = 105) as well as in Oriental (n = 15) and white (n = 15) control subjects following a dose of alcohol (0.2 or 0.4 gm/kg). ALDH genotypes were determined via polymerase chain reaction followed by hybridization to 32P or biotin-labeled allele-specific oligonucleotide probes. RESULTS: There were no ALDH2 mutations detectable in Native Americans reporting the flushing response, nor any objective evidence of an Oriental-like response to alcohol. The rate of alcohol metabolism was shown to be the same among whites, Native flushers and Native nonflushers. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that the flushing reaction experienced by Native Americans appears to be milder and less unpleasant than the &quot;Oriental&quot; flushing reaction, with little effect on drinking frequency and amount. In addition, the flushing is not mediated by the ALDH2 mutation or elevated blood acetaldehyde. A critical analysis of the discrepancies in the literature regarding alcohol metabolism in Native Americans is provided.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0096-882X",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}