Polymorphisms of alcohol metabolizing enzyme and cytochrome P4502E1 genes in mongolian population

Differences in the Association Between Modifiable Lifestyle Factors and Gastric Precancerous Lesions Among Mongolians and Han Chinese

Background

There has been a paucity of evidence examining whether preventable behavioral risk factors led to ethnic differences of gastric precancerous lesions (GPL). We aimed to investigate the ethnic disparity of associations between GPL and lifestyle factors in Mongolian and Han Chinese populations.

Methods

The study included participants aged 36-75 years enrolled in the Cancer Screening Program during 2016-2017 in Hohhot and Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia. GPL was defined as the gross cascading events (i.e., gastric ulcer, atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, and dysplasia) that preceded gastric cancer.

Results

A total of 61638 participants were included, of whom 6863(11·1%) were Mongolians. Alcohol consumption was positively associated with GPL risk in both ethnic groups, but the magnitude was greater in Mongolians (odds ratio (OR) 6·91, 95%CI 5·82-8·28) than in Han Chinese (OR 5·64, 95%CI 5·27-6·04), corresponding to a higher population attributable fraction (PAF) for Mongolians (53·18% vs 43·71%). Besides, the strength of the positive association between physical inactivity and GPL risk was greater among Mongolians (OR 2·02, 95%CI 1·70-2·41; OR 1·09, 95%CI 1·02-1·17 among Han Chinese) with a higher PAF. Smoking was strongly associated with GPL risk in both ethnic groups as well, but the association was more prominent among Han Chinese (OR 5·24 (1·70-2·41) for <10 cigarettes/d, 8·19 (7·48-8·97) for 11-20 cigarettes/d, 7·07 (6·40-7·81) for ≥21 cigarettes/d; the corresponding ORs were 2·96 (2·19-4·00), 6·22 (5·04-7·68), and 7·03 (5·45-9·08) among Mongolians). Lastly, our findings revealed that a significant correlation between insufficient fruits and vegetable consumption and GPL risk was only found among Mongolians (OR 1·27, 95%CI 1·04-1·56).

Conclusions

Our result suggested that high-risk lifestyle factors should be reduced, particularly in Mongolians. Further studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to reduce health disparities in underserved ethnic groups.

Ethnic Differences in the Metabolism of Toluene: Comparisons between Korean and Foreign Workers Exposed to Toluene

The objectives of this study were to investigate the individual characteristics, lifestyle habits, exposure levels, and genetic diversity of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes involved in toluene metabolism in Korean and foreign workers exposed to toluene at a manufacturing plant. This study was conducted to determine the effects of culture or ethnicity on toluene metabolism. The results showed that blood and urinary toluene concentrations were dependent on the level of exposure to toluene. We analyzed the correlation between toluene metabolism and genetic diversity in glutathione S-transferase (GST) (M1), GSTT1, and cytochrome p-450 (CYP) 2E1*5 as well as lifestyle habits (smoking, drinking, and exercise habits). The results revealed significant correlations between toluene metabolism and GSTM1 and GSTT1 genetic diversity, as well as smoking and exercise.