Association of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 genetic polymorphism and impaired fasting glucose

Objective To investigate the association of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2)genetic polymorphism and impaired fasting glucose. Methods A total of 2 213 Chinese Han non-drinkers, including 1 576 men and 637 women, were enrolled at the time of health checkup. ALDH2 genotype, height, weight, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, uric acid and fasting serum levels of insulin were measured. Homeostasis model assessment 2 of β cell function(HOMA2%-β) and insulin resistance(HOMA2-IR)assessed by HOMA calculator were used to estimate the β cell function and insulin resistance. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk of impaired fasting glucose. Results (1) Weight was significantly lower in ALDH2 mutant genotypes (ALDH2*1/2 and ALDH2*2/2) group than that in wide genotype group (ALDH2*1/1) (male t=4.92, female t=2.44, all P 0.05). Conclusion ALDH2 polymorphism is associated with an increased risk of impaired fasting glucose in Chinese Han population, and could be partly explained by impairment of β cell function. Key words: Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2; Genetic polymorphism; Impaired fasting glucose; βcell function