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Ehlers CL, Li L, Peng Q, Gilder DA, Batts KR, Karriker-Jaffe KJ. Alcohol Consumption Questionnaire: Scale development in a sample of Mexican American young adults and association with ADH7. Alcohol 2024:S0741-8329(24)00049-1. [PMID: 38467168 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2024.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To understand why some individuals who develop alcohol use disorders (AUD) first begin to drink heavily, a number of scales have been developed that index aspects of alcohol craving and restraint from drinking. We developed a new measure called the Alcohol Consumption Questionnaire (ACQ), based in part on items modified from scales used to index binge eating because there are data to suggest that binge eating and binge drinking may share common antecedents. We present an initial validity study using data from a sample of Mexican Americans. METHODS Data were from 699 Mexican American young adults in San Diego County, CA. A subsample (n=60) had short-term test-retest data. Factor analysis and reliability assessment guided item reduction. Item response theory (IRT) analyses quantified item severity and identified questions with differential item functioning (DIF). Logistic regression assessed associations of mean scale scores with AUD, adjusting for key demographics, alcohol expectancies and subjective response to alcohol. We also examined associations with a protective genetic variant downstream from the alcohol dehydrogenase 7 gene (ADH7). RESULTS The scale was reduced from 20 to 14 questions, which can be summarized by a single overall score (Cronbach's alpha=0.896) or by two sub-scores (Consumption: 12 items, Cronbach's alpha=0.896; Enjoyment: 2 items, Cronbach's alpha=0.780). Test-retest reliability was very high (0.80-0.98) in this sample. The overall ACQ score and each subdomain score were strongly associated with AUD (ORs= 5.95 mild; 11.41 moderate; 48.56 severe) and family history of AUD. Respondents with the protective genetic variant had significantly lower overall ACQ scores (p<.001). CONCLUSION The ACQ is a novel measure of alcohol consumption with strong relationships with both the AUD phenotype and ADH7 gene variants in a sample of Mexican American young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Libo Li
- Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute
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Peng Q, Wilhelmsen KC, Ehlers CL. Common genetic substrates of alcohol and substance use disorder severity revealed by pleiotropy detection against GWAS catalog in two populations. Addict Biol 2021; 26:e12877. [PMID: 32027075 PMCID: PMC7415504 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol and other substance use disorders (AUD and SUD) are complex diseases that are postulated to have a polygenic inheritance and are often comorbid with other disorders. The comorbidities may arise partially through genetic pleiotropy. Identification of specific gene variants accounting for large parts of the variance in these disorders has yet to be accomplished. We describe a flexible strategy that takes a variant-trait association database and determines if a subset of disease/straits are potentially pleiotropic with the disorder under study. We demonstrate its usage in a study of use disorders in two independent cohorts: alcohol, stimulants, cannabis (CUD), and multi-substance use disorders (MSUD) in American Indians (AI) and AUD and CUD in Mexican Americans (MA). Using a machine learning method with variants in GWAS catalog, we identified 229 to 246 pleiotropic variants for AI and 153 to 160 for MA for each SUD. Inflammation was the most enriched for MSUD and AUD in AIs. Neurological disorder was the most significantly enriched for CUD in both cohorts, and for AUD and stimulants in AIs. Of the select pleiotropic genes shared among substances-cohorts, multiple biological pathways implicated in SUD and other psychiatric disorders were enriched, including neurotrophic factors, immune responses, extracellular matrix, and circadian regulation. Shared pleiotropic genes were significantly up-regulated in brain regions playing important roles in SUD, down-regulated in esophagus mucosa, and differentially regulated in adrenal gland. This study fills a gap for pleiotropy detection in understudied admixed populations and identifies pleiotropic variants that may be potential targets of interest for SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Peng
- Department of Neuroscience The Scripps Research Institute La Jolla CA USA
| | - Kirk C. Wilhelmsen
- Department of Genetics and Neurology University of North Carolina Chapel Hill NC USA
| | - Cindy L. Ehlers
- Department of Neuroscience The Scripps Research Institute La Jolla CA USA
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Ehlers CL, Phillips E, Kim C, Wills DN, Karriker-Jaffe KJ, Gilder DA. CR-19-0950: Event-related responses to alcohol-related stimuli in Mexican-American young adults: Relation to age, gender, comorbidity and "dark side" symptoms. Drug Alcohol Depend 2019; 202:76-86. [PMID: 31323376 PMCID: PMC6685752 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electrophysiological variables may represent sensitive biomarkers of vulnerability to or endophenotypes for alcohol use disorders (AUD). METHODS Young adults (age 18-30 yrs, n = 580) of Mexican American heritage were assessed with the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism and event-related oscillations (EROs) generated in response to a task that used pictures of objects, food, and alcohol-related and non-alcohol-related drinks as stimuli. RESULTS Decreases in energy in the alpha and beta frequencies and higher phase synchrony within cortical brain areas were seen in response to the alcohol-related as compared to the non-alcohol-related stimuli. Differences in ERO energy and synchrony responses to alcohol-related stimuli were also found as a function of age, sex, AUD status and comorbidity. Age-related decreases in energy and increases in synchrony were found. Females had significantly higher energy and lower synchrony values than males. Participants with AUD had higher synchrony values specifically in the beta frequencies, whereas those with a lifetime diagnosis of conduct disorder and/or antisocial personality disorder had lower alpha power and synchrony, and those with any affective disorder had lower ERO energy in the beta frequencies. Those with substance-associated affective "dark-side" symptoms had slower reaction times to the task, lower energy in the beta frequencies, lower local synchrony in the theta frequencies, and higher long-range synchrony in the delta and beta frequencies. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that EROs recorded to alcohol-related stimuli may be biomarkers of comorbid risk factors, symptoms and disorders associated with AUD that also can differentiate those with "dark-side symptoms".
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy L. Ehlers
- Neurosciences Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA,Corresponding author: Dr. Cindy L. Ehlers, TSRI, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA, Telephone: (858) 784-7058; Fax: (858) 784-7409;
| | - Evelyn Phillips
- Neurosciences Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Corinne Kim
- Neurosciences Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Derek N. Wills
- Neurosciences Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | | | - David A. Gilder
- Neurosciences Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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Hardie TL, Polek C, Garcia V, Leader A, Gonzalez L. Patterns of Alcohol Abstinence in Mexican Women Residing in the United States: Effects of Nativity and Duration in the United States. HISPANIC HEALTH CARE INTERNATIONAL 2019; 17:156-161. [PMID: 31195832 DOI: 10.1177/1540415319854053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Explore changes in abstinence rates in Mexican women (MW) residing in the United States based on nativity and time in the United States as an indicator risks for future alcohol-related disorders. DESIGN A secondary analysis of data from the National Health Interview Survey evaluated rates of abstinence between 2000 and 2017. A logistic regression was completed to address the impact of age, years in the United States, sample years. SAMPLE A total of 29,860 MW surveyed over an 18-year period that included those born in and outside the United States. PRIMARY RESEARCH VARIABLES Dependent variable was abstinence status; independent variables included nativity, year of survey, age, years in the United States (if immigrant). RESULTS Immigrant MW showed higher rates of alcohol abstinence than U.S.-born MW across all years, but regardless of place of birth, fewer MW are abstaining over time. Among immigrant MW, those only in the United States greater than 15 years had a greater risk of becoming a drinker than those in the United States less than 5 years. CONCLUSION There are declining rates of alcohol abstinence among MW regardless of immigration status. The lower rate of abstinent MW increases their risk for alcohol-related disorders. Assessing MW's use of alcohol and providing targeted education is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Victor Garcia
- Mid-Atlantic Research and Training Institute for Community and Behavioral Health, Indiana, PA, USA
| | - Amy Leader
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Laura Gonzalez
- Mid-Atlantic Research and Training Institute for Community and Behavioral Health, Indiana, PA, USA
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Edenberg HJ, McClintick JN. Alcohol Dehydrogenases, Aldehyde Dehydrogenases, and Alcohol Use Disorders: A Critical Review. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018; 42:2281-2297. [PMID: 30320893 PMCID: PMC6286250 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are complex traits, meaning that variations in many genes contribute to the risk, as does the environment. Although the total genetic contribution to risk is substantial, most individual variations make only very small contributions. By far the strongest contributors are functional variations in 2 genes involved in alcohol (ethanol [EtOH]) metabolism. A functional variant in alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) is protective in people of European and Asian descent, and a different functional variant in the same gene is protective in those of African descent. A strongly protective variant in aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is essentially only found in Asians. This highlights the need to study a wide range of populations. The likely mechanism of protection against heavy drinking and AUDs in both cases is alteration in the rate of metabolism of EtOH that at least transiently elevates acetaldehyde. Other ADH and ALDH variants, including functional variations in ADH1C, have also been implicated in affecting drinking behavior and risk for alcoholism. The pattern of linkage disequilibrium in the ADH region and the differences among populations complicate analyses, particularly of regulatory variants. This critical review focuses upon the ADH and ALDH genes as they affect AUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howard J. Edenberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Jeanette N. McClintick
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
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Melroy-Greif WE, Gizer IR, Wilhelmsen KC, Ehlers CL. Genetic Influences on Evening Preference Overlap with Those for Bipolar Disorder in a Sample of Mexican Americans and American Indians. Twin Res Hum Genet 2017; 20:499-510. [PMID: 29192581 PMCID: PMC6013261 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2017.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Diurnal preference (e.g., being an owl or lark) has been associated with several psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder (BP), major depressive disorder, and substance use disorders. Previous large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) aimed at identifying genetic influences on diurnal preference have exclusively included subjects of European ancestry. This study examined the genetic architecture of diurnal preference in two minority samples: a young adult sample of Mexican Americans (MAs), and a family-based sample of American Indians (AIs). Typed or imputed variants from exome chip data from the MA sample and low pass whole-genome sequencing from the AI cohort were analyzed using a mixed linear model approach for association with being an owl, as defined by a usual bedtime after 23:00 hrs. Genetic risk score (GRS) profiling detected shared genetic risk between evening preference and related disorders. Four variants in KIAA1549 like (KIAA1549L), a gene previously associated with attempted suicide in bipolar patients, were suggestively associated with being an owl at p < 1.82E-05; post hoc analyses showed the top variant trending in both the MA and AI cohorts at p = 2.50E-05 and p = .030, respectively. Variants associated with BP at p < .03 from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium nominally predicted being an owl in the MA/AI cohort at p = .012. This study provides some additional evidence that genetic risk factors for BP also confer risk for being an owl in MAs/AIs and that evening preference may be a useful endophenotype for future studies of BP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ian R. Gizer
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Kirk C. Wilhelmsen
- Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI), Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA
- Departments of Genetics and Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Cindy L. Ehlers
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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Genome-Wide Association Study of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Two High-Risk Populations. Twin Res Hum Genet 2017; 20:197-207. [PMID: 28262088 DOI: 10.1017/thg.2017.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Mexican Americans (MAs) and American Indians (AIs) constitute conspicuously understudied groups with respect to risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially in light of findings showing racial/ethnic differences in trauma exposure and risk for PTSD. The purpose of this study was to examine genetic influences on PTSD in two minority cohorts. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) with sum PTSD symptoms for trauma-exposed subjects was run in each cohort. Six highly correlated variants in olfactory receptor family 11 subfamily L member 1 (OR11L1) were suggestively associated with PTSD in the MA cohort. These associations remained suggestively significant after permutation testing. A signal in a nearby olfactory receptor on chromosome 1, olfactory receptor family 2 subfamily L member 13 (OR2L13), tagged by rs151319968, was nominally associated with PTSD in the AI sample. Although no variants were significantly associated after correction for multiple testing in a meta-analysis of the two cohorts, pathway analysis of the top hits showed an enrichment cluster of terms related to sensory transduction, olfactory receptor activity, G-protein coupled receptors, and membrane. As previous studies have proposed a role for olfaction in PTSD, our results indicate this influence may be partially driven by genetic variation in the olfactory system.
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Chartier KG, Thomas NS, Kendler KS. Interrelationship between family history of alcoholism and generational status in the prediction of alcohol dependence in US Hispanics. Psychol Med 2017; 47:137-147. [PMID: 27681653 PMCID: PMC5695542 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291716002105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Both a family history of alcoholism and migration-related factors like US v. foreign nativity increase the risk for developing alcohol use disorders in Hispanic Americans. For this study, we integrated these two lines of research to test whether the relationship between familial alcoholism and alcohol dependence changes with successive generations in the United States. METHOD Data were from the waves 1 and 2 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). Subjects self-identified Hispanic ethnicity (N = 4122; n = 1784 first, n = 1169 second, and n = 1169 third or later generation) and reported ever consuming ⩾12 drinks in a 1-year period. A family history of alcoholism was assessed in first- and second-degree relatives. Analyses predicting the number of alcohol dependence symptoms were path models. RESULTS Alcohol dependence symptoms were associated with a stronger family history of alcoholism and later generational status. There was a significant interaction effect between familial alcoholism and generational status; the relationship of familial alcoholism with alcohol dependence symptoms increased significantly with successive generations in the United States, more strongly in women than men. Acculturation partially mediated the interaction effect between familial alcoholism and generational status on alcohol dependence, although not in the expected direction. CONCLUSIONS Familial alcoholism interacted with generational status in predicting alcohol dependence symptoms in US Hispanic drinkers. This relationship suggests that heritability for alcoholism is influenced by a higher-order environmental factor, likely characterized by a relaxing of social restrictions on drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen G. Chartier
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work, Richmond, VA
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Richmond, VA
| | | | - Kenneth S. Kendler
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Richmond, VA
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Richmond, VA
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Richmond, VA
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Ehlers CL, Kim C, Gilder DA, Stouffer GM, Caetano R, Yehuda R. Lifetime history of traumatic events in a young adult Mexican American sample: Relation to substance dependence, affective disorder, acculturation stress, and PTSD. J Psychiatr Res 2016; 83:79-85. [PMID: 27569652 PMCID: PMC5107155 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mexican Americans comprise one of the most rapidly growing populations in the United States, and within this population, trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with physical and mental health problems. Therefore, efforts to delineate factors that may uniquely contribute to increased likelihood of trauma, PTSD, and substance use disorders over the lifetime in Mexican Americans are important to address health disparities and to develop treatment and prevention programs. Six hundred fourteen young adults (age 18-30 yrs) of Mexican American heritage, largely second generation, were recruited from the community and assessed with the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism and an acculturation stress scale. More males (51.2%) reported experiencing traumas than females (41.1%), however, a larger proportion of females received a PTSD diagnosis (15%) than males (8%). Alcohol dependence and affective disorders, but not anxiety disorders, antisocial disorders, nicotine, marijuana, or stimulant dependence, were significantly comorbid with PTSD. Endorsing higher levels of acculturation stress was also significantly associated with both trauma exposure and a diagnosis of PTSD. Logistic regression revealed that female gender, having an affective disorder, alcohol dependence, higher levels of acculturation stress, and lower levels of education were all predictors of PTSD status. Additionally, alcohol dependence generally occurred after the PTSD diagnosis in early adulthood in this high-risk population. These studies suggest that treatment and prevention efforts should particularly focus on young adult second generation Mexican American women with higher levels of acculturation stress, who may be at higher risk for PTSD, affective disorder, and alcohol dependence following trauma exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy L. Ehlers
- Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA,Corresponding author: Dr. Cindy L. Ehlers, TSRI, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road SP30-1501, La Jolla, CA 92037 USA, Telephone: (858) 784-7058; Fax: (858) 784-7409;
| | - Corinne Kim
- Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - David A. Gilder
- Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Gina M. Stouffer
- Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences Department, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Raul Caetano
- Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Rachel Yehuda
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Traumatic Stress Studies Division, Psychiatry Department, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10029-6574, USA
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Melroy-Greif WE, Wilhelmsen KC, Ehlers CL. Genetic variation in FAAH is associated with cannabis use disorders in a young adult sample of Mexican Americans. Drug Alcohol Depend 2016; 166:249-53. [PMID: 27394933 PMCID: PMC4983484 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis is a commonly used drug and studies have shown that a significant portion of the variation in cannabis use disorders (CUDs) is heritable. Five genes known to play a role in the endocannabinoid system and CUDs were examined in a community sample of young adult Mexican Americans (MAs): CNR1, MGLL, FAAH, DAGLA, and DAGLB. METHODS Gene-based tests were run to test for association between each gene and two DSM-5 cannabis phenotypes. Subsequent linear regressions were run in PLINK using an additive model to determine which single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were driving the association. RESULTS FAAH was significantly associated with DSM-5 cannabis use disorder group count (DSM-5 CUD) using a gene-based test (p=0.0035). This association survived Bonferroni correction for multiple testing at p<0.004. Post hoc analyses suggested this association was driven by two common (minor allele frequency >5%) SNPs in moderate linkage disequilibrium, rs324420 and rs4141964, at p=0.0014 and p=0.0023, respectively. In both cases the minor allele increased risk for DSM-5 CUD. CONCLUSIONS Genetic variation in FAAH was associated with DSM-5 CUD in MAs. This association was primarily driven by the missense SNP rs324420. In vitro work has provided evidence that the risk allele generates an enzyme with decreased expression and cellular stability. Although this SNP has been previously associated with substance use in the literature, this is the first association in a young adult MA sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney E. Melroy-Greif
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Kirk C. Wilhelmsen
- Department of Genetics and Neurology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Cindy L. Ehlers
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA,Corresponding author: Dr. Cindy L. Ehlers, Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd. La Jolla, CA 92037, Mail SP30-1501, Tel: 858-784-7058, Fax: 858-784-7409,
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Vu KN, Ballantyne CM, Hoogeveen RC, Nambi V, Volcik KA, Boerwinkle E, Morrison AC. Causal Role of Alcohol Consumption in an Improved Lipid Profile: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148765. [PMID: 26849558 PMCID: PMC4744040 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Health benefits of low-to-moderate alcohol consumption may operate through an improved lipid profile. A Mendelian randomization (MR) approach was used to examine whether alcohol consumption causally affects lipid levels. METHODS This analysis involved 10,893 European Americans (EA) from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Common and rare variants in alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase genes were evaluated for MR assumptions. Five variants, residing in the ADH1B, ADH1C, and ADH4 genes, were selected as genetic instruments and were combined into an unweighted genetic score. Triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and its subfractions (HDL2-c and HDL3-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), small dense LDL-c (sdLDL-c), apolipoprotein B (apoB), and lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) levels were analyzed. RESULTS Alcohol consumption significantly increased HDL2-c and reduced TG, total cholesterol, LDL-c, sdLDL-c, and apoB levels. For each of these lipids a non-linear trend was observed. Compared to the first quartile of alcohol consumption, the third quartile had a 12.3% lower level of TG (p < 0.001), a 7.71 mg/dL lower level of total cholesterol (p = 0.007), a 10.3% higher level of HDL2-c (p = 0.007), a 6.87 mg/dL lower level of LDL-c (p = 0.012), a 7.4% lower level of sdLDL-c (p = 0.037), and a 3.5% lower level of apoB (p = 0.058, poverall = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS This study supports the causal role of regular low-to-moderate alcohol consumption in increasing HDL2-c, reducing TG, total cholesterol, and LDL-c, and provides evidence for the novel finding that low-to-moderate consumption of alcohol reduces apoB and sdLDL-c levels among EA. However, given the nonlinearity of the effect of alcohol consumption, even within the range of low-to-moderate drinking, increased consumption does not always result in a larger benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khanh N. Vu
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Christie M. Ballantyne
- Section of Cardiovascular Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Houston Methodist Debakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Ron C. Hoogeveen
- Section of Cardiovascular Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Houston Methodist Debakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Vijay Nambi
- Section of Cardiovascular Research, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Houston Methodist Debakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Michael E DeBakey Veterans Affairs Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kelly A. Volcik
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Eric Boerwinkle
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- The Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Alanna C. Morrison
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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