Question

Due to the genetic make-up and physiology of asians, the production of "clean-up" enzymes such as aldehyde dehydrogenase (aldh) is ____, which may influence the low prevalence rates of alcoholism among asians.

a. ​minimized
b. ​unaffected
c. ​neutralized
d. ​maximized

Answer 1

I believe the answer is A. Minimized.
The Asian flush results from a deficiency in one of the isoenzyme in the ALDH enzyme group, specifically the ALDH2 isoenzyme (1,3,4). The alleles responsible for the ALDH2 enzyme is normally expressed as ALDH2 enzyme*1 but becomes ALDH2*2 when it is mutated. ALDH2*2 allele leads to a deficient ALDH2 enzyme, which inhibits the conversion of acetaldehyde to acetic acid, a step in alcohol metabolism. It is thus suggested that the higher acetaldehyde levels leads to the flushing response, and not the blood alcohol levels.