Genetic variants in ALDH2 predict risk of ischemic stroke in a Chinese population

Abstract Background and purpose Genome-wide association studies discovered a novel correlation between chromosome 12q24 and ischemic stroke in European populations. This study aimed to determine whether two genetic variants (rs10744777 and rs886205) on chromosome 12q24 can modify the risk of ischemic stroke in Chinese population. Methods We recruited 1195 patients with ischemic stroke and 642 healthy Chinese individuals. The rs10744777 and rs886205 polymorphisms in aldehyde dehydrogenase2 ( ALDH2 ) was genotyped and compared using multivariate logistic regression. Results The genotype of rs10744777 (CT/TT) was associated with risk of ischemic stroke in males (OR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.15–3.42, P  = 0.013). In contrast, no significant correlation was found in females. Haplotype analysis indicated that haplotype “TA” was associated with increased ischemic stroke risk (OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.10–3.12, P  = 0.042). Further subtype analysis demonstrated that the rs10744777 (CT/TT) genotype was strongly associated with large artery atherosclerosis subtype in males (OR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.30–3.95, P  = 0.004). After three months follow-up, we found a poorer functional outcome of ischemic stroke associated with the rs886205 GA genotype (OR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.03–3.00, P  = 0.057) in males. Conclusions Genetic polymorphisms in ALDH2 modified ischemic stroke risk and outcome in Chinese males, but not in females.