Enzyme Activator Could Reverse Intolerance to Alcohol

Individuals who experience flushing and other side-effects when they drink could someday receive treatment which activates a defective enzyme that causes alcohol intolerance, Wine Spectator reported Jan. 20.

Researcher Thomas D. Hurley of the Indiana University School of Medicine and colleagues discovered that a molecule called Alda-1 activates the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2), which helps the body metabolize alcohol. Many individuals of East Asian descent have a gene mutation that inactivates the enzyme, making drinking an unpleasant experience.

The mutation also raises the risk of cancer. The research, funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, was part of an exploration into the protective effects of alcohol on coronary health. However, Hurley noted, “We can’t deny the fact that if it works the way we think it will, it would eliminate alcohol intolerance [caused by the mutation].”

“We want to continue looking for a treatment for heart-attack damage. It’s a double-edged sword,” he said. “We could correct the defect but then that increases the risk of other health problems if people are not drinking moderately. If they drink moderately, it’s great, but must be tempered with the fact that some people don’t.”

The study was published online in the journal Nature Structural and Molecular Biology.