Objectives

We sought to identify associations between aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 ( ALDH2 ), alcohol consumption, and hypertension in Japanese men.

Methods

The study participants were 1,225 male Japanese workers. We collected lifestyle information, body measurements, blood biochemical parameters, blood pressure measurements, and ALDH2 genotyping data during medical examinations conducted between March 2004 and January 2005 at a work facility and an affiliated company. Lifestyle data on alcohol intake and smoking were collected using self-administered questionnaires at the same time as when the aforementioned measurements were obtained.

Results

The genotype frequencies of ALDH2 genetic polymorphisms were 62.6, 32.7, and 4.7 % for *1/*1 , *1/*2 , and *2/*2 , respectively. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in the *1/*2 or *2/*2 group were significantly lower than those in the *1/*1 group ( P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis (stepwise method) for blood pressure according to ALDH2 genetic polymorphism revealed that the amount of daily alcohol intake affected systolic blood pressure in participants who harbored the ALDH2 genetic polymorphism *1/*2 or *2/*2 .

Conclusions

The interaction between alcohol intake and ALDH2 genetic polymorphisms might affect systolic blood pressure in adult male workers.