The main enzyme responsible for metabolizing alcohol in the body is alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). ADH breaks down ethyl alcohol (the main alcohol component) into acetaldehyde, which is then processed by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) into acetate. Acetate is oxidized into carbon dioxide and water with the involvement of various enzymes in the body.
Genetic differences play an important role in alcohol tolerance. For example, some people may have variations in the genes encoding ADH and ALDH, which may affect their ability to metabolize alcohol quickly. Certain ADH and ALDH gene variants may result in the formation of higher acetaldehyde levels in the body, which can cause unpleasant symptoms such as skin redness, nausea and fast heart beating known as antibiotic reactions.
To identify genetic features associated with alcohol intolerance, it is necessary to analyze the ADH1B gene, which encodes the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme. There are two variants of this gene, which regulate the rapid or slow conversion of ethanol into acetaldehyde, which in turn determines the degree of alcohol poisoning and dependence.
As a result of DNA testing, you will find out about the genotype you have:
Genotype A/A — the rapid conversion of ethanol into acetaldehyde;
Genotype G/G — the slow conversion of ethanol into acetaldehyde.
The degree of alcohol poisoning, the likelihood of alcoholism development, as well as the risk of cardiovascular (atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease) and oncological (liver cancer, esophageal cancer) diseases depend on the rate of conversion of ethanol into acetaldehyde.
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