In response to the original question, genotyping ADHs is unlikely to
contribute anything. One might ask, has the 'hangover' effect come on
recently, or has she always had it after alcohol, or has she only recently
started taking any alcohol?
I was under the impression (and it's a very long time since I heard it
discussed) that the lymphoma association was with pain in the arm or armpit
after alcohol (presumably a local reaction in the lymph nodes). A recent
review of Hodgkins (which I've only seen the abstract of) categorises it
as a 'rare' symptom. I'd be interested to hear current opinion on this.
ALDH2*2 is associated with a lower risk of alcohol dependence, but a higher
risk of alcohol-related diseases in people who do drink heavily despite the
deterrent effects of the alcohol flush reaction associated with this
allele. Similarly for ADH2*2, but the evidence for its effect on
alcohol-related disease is not so strong and the mechanism is unclear. At
present, there is little evidence for an ADH3 effect on alcohol dependence
except through its linkage disequilibrium with ADH2.
John Whitfield
Clinical Biochemistry
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Sydney, Australia
Phone (+61) 2 9515 5246
Fax (+61) 2 9515 7931
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Hallworth [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, 6 October 2000 19:08
To: mailbase
Subject: Sensitivity to alcohol
I've just seen a 23 year old lady sent up by her GP because of her abnormal
reactions to alcohol. This is not the usual flushing-type reaction, but
what sounds like a severe conventional 'hangover' (severe headache, nausea,
vomiting) the day after ingestion of small amounts of alcohol (e.g. 1 glass
sherry or 1 pint Guinness).
The GP had asked for alcohol dehydrogenase levels, but presumably that
would need to be done on liver/gut tissue. Does anyone offer ADH genetic
analysis for polymorphisms in the ADH2 and 3 loci? Any other bright ideas?
Mike Hallworth
Biochemistry, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
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