Which are the effects of ALDH2 deficiency?
In alcohol drinkers, ALDH2-deficiency is a well-known risk factor for upper aerodigestive tract cancers, i.e., head and neck cancer and esophageal cancer. Diabetic patients with ALDH2 mutations are predisposed to worse diastolic dysfunction.
These data demonstrate that ALDH2 deficiency enhances EtOH-induced disruption of intestinal epithelial tight junctions, barrier dysfunction, and liver damage.