ADH1B and ADH1C genotype, alcohol consumption and biomarkers of liver function: findings from a Mendelian randomization study in 58,313 European origin Danes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The effect of alcohol consumption on liver function is difficult to determine because of reporting bias and potential residual confounding. Our aim was to determine this effect using genetic variants to proxy for the unbiased effect of alcohol.

Methods

We used variants in ADH1B and ADH1C genes as instrumental variables (IV) to estimate the causal effect of long-term alcohol consumption on alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl-transferase (γ-GT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin and prothrombin action. Analyses were undertaken on 58,313 Danes (mean age 56).

Results

In both confounder adjusted multivariable and genetic-IV analyses greater alcohol consumption, amongst those who drank any alcohol, was associated with higher ALT [mean difference per do

SUBMITTER: Lawlor DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4266606 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature