Variation in AKR1C3, which encodes the neuroactive steroid synthetic enzyme 3α-HSD type 2 (17β-HSD type 5), moderates the subjective effects of alcohol.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Animal models suggest that neuroactive steroids contribute to alcohol's acute effects. We previously reported that a common nonsynonymous polymorphism, AKR1C3 2 in the gene encoding the enzyme 3α-HSD2/17β-HSD5, and a synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs248793, in SRD5A1, which encodes 5α-reductase, were associated with alcohol dependence (AD).

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate whether these polymorphisms moderate subjective effects of alcohol in humans and whether AKR1C3 2 affects neuroactive steroid synthesis.

Methods

Sixty-five Caucasian men (34 lighter and 31 heavier drinkers; mean age 26.2 years) participated in a double-blind laboratory study where they consumed drinks containing no ethanol or 0.8 g/kg of ethanol. Breath

SUBMITTER: Milivojevic V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4135039 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature