The ADH1B gene frequencies were significantly different between healthy controls and Alc patients (P < 0.001), and also between AlCP and Alc patients (P < 0.05).
The restriction fragment-length polymorphisms of the ADH2 and the ALDH2 genes were analyzed in 47 normal subjects and 31 patients with alcoholic pancreatitis.
To determine the relation between genotypes of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes and chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, we examined genotype patterns of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH 2), alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (ADH 2) and cytochrome P-4502E1 (CYP2E1) in 54 patients with chronic alcoholic pancreatitis who were diagnosed in general hospitals in all over Japan and compared with those in 30 patients with chronic nonalcoholic pancreatitis or in 46 alcoholics with normal pancreatic function.
In conclusion, ALDH2*1 is the most important alcohol metabolizing gene affecting predisposition to alcoholism whereas the ADH2*2 gene may influence susceptibility to acute alcoholic pancreatitis.