Yonsei Med J.  2016 Jul;57(4):879-884. 10.3349/ymj.2016.57.4.879.

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) Polymorphism and the Risk of Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis among East Asians: A Meta-Analysis

• He L
• Deng T
• Luo H

• KMID: 2374118
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2016.57.4.879

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) gene has been implicated in the development of alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC) in East Asians. However, the results are inconsistent. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed to assess the associations between the ALDH2 polymorphism and the risk of ALC.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Relevant studies were retrieved by searching PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang and Veipu databases up to January 10, 2015. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using either the fixed- or random effects model.
RESULTS
A total of twelve case-control studies included 1003 cases and 2011 controls were included. Overall, the ALDH2 polymorphism was associated with a decreased risk of ALC (*1/*2 vs. *1/*1: OR=0.78, 95% CI: 0.61-0.99). However, in stratification analysis by country, we failed to detect any association among Chinese, Korean or Japanese populations.
CONCLUSION
The pooled evidence suggests that ALDH2 polymorphism may be an important protective factor for ALC in East Asians.

Keyword

ALDH2; polymorphism; alcoholic liver cirrhosis; meta-analysis

MeSH Terms

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial/*genetics
Asian Continental Ancestry Group/*genetics
Case-Control Studies
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Humans
Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic/*ethnology/*genetics
Odds Ratio
Polymorphism, Genetic/*genetics
Protective Factors
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Mitochondrial

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The flow chart of study selection based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. ALDH2, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2.

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  Fig. 2 Forest plots for the association of ALDH2 and alcoholic cirrhosis risk (*1/*2 vs. *1/*1). ALDH2, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2; CI, confidence interval.

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  Fig. 3 Subgroup analysis of odds ratios by country for association between ALDH2 polymorphism and risk of alcoholic liver cirrhosis (*1/*2 vs. *1/*1). ALDH2, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2; CI, confidence interval.

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  Fig. 4 Begg's funnel plot of publication bias test for ALDH2 and alcoholic cirrhosis risk (*1/*2 vs. *1/*1). ALDH2, aldehyde dehydrogenase 2; OR, odds ratio.

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