Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Polymorphisms and Blood Pressure Elevation in the Japanese: A Cross-Sectional and a Longitudinal Study over 20 Years in the Shimane CoHRE Study.
PURPOSE: Effects of a genetic polymorphism in the aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) on blood pressure (BP) were investigated in a cross-sectional and a longitudinal study over 20 years on Japanese rural residents.
METHODS: Health examinations were held through 2006 to 2012, and 3,202 participates were recruited for this study. Among these participants, 560 individuals had medical records that were obtained in a health examination 20 years ago. Genomic DNA of participants was extracted from blood and the genotype of a polymorphism in ALDH2 was determined by the TaqMan method. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to examine association between BP and the genetic polymorphism in the ALDH2 gene.
RESULTS: Systolic and diastolic BP were higher in the ALDH2 (∗)1/(∗)1 than the others (ALDH2 (∗)1/(∗)2 or ALDH2 (∗)2/(∗)2). Genetic variation of the ALDH2 gene apparently influenced drinking behavior as the number of the drinkers was significantly reduced in the ALDH2 (∗)2/(∗) 2 after 20 years of the observation period. This polymorphism, however, did not confer a risk for BP increase in the longitudinal observation.
CONCLUSION: The present cross-sectional study confirmed a genetic effect of the ALDH2 gene on BP. In contrast, no significant effects on BP were identified in a longitudinal study, which may require a careful consideration.
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