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Genetic polymorphism of the ethanol metabolism system
https://doi.org/10.25557/2073-7998.2026.01.3-11
Abstract
Excessive alcohol consumption is an etiologic factor in the development of alcoholic liver disease (alcoholic steatohepatitis, alcoholic liver cirrhosis), as well as a risk factor for exacerbations of a number of liver and gastrointestinal diseases, both acquired (hepatitis, viral liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, etc.) and genetically determined (Gilbert’s syndrome, liver damage in alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, cystic fibrosis, etc.). The main pathway of ethanol metabolism in the human body is the oxidative pathway of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase. The genes encoding the enzymes of this pathway have significant polymorphism, which leads to different degrees of enzyme activity both among individuals and among entire ethnic groups. The review is devoted to modern research and current ideas about the metabolism of ethyl alcohol and nucleotide variants that can affect it.
Supporting agencies: The review was prepared within the framework of state assignment FWNR-2024-0004.
About the Authors
A. A. Ivanova
Research Institutе of Internal and Preventive Medicine −Branch of the
Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
175/1, B. Bogatkova st., Novosibirsk, 630089
V. N. Maksimov
Research Institutе of Internal and Preventive Medicine −Branch of the
Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
175/1, B. Bogatkova st., Novosibirsk, 630089
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Review
For citations:
Ivanova A.A., Maksimov V.N. Genetic polymorphism of the ethanol metabolism system. Medical Genetics. 2026;25(1):3-11. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25557/2073-7998.2026.01.3-11
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