Alcohol-Induced Facial Flushing and Health Implications

Facial flushing and increased heart rate after alcohol consumption is frequent among Asians. Approximately 560 million people, or 8% of the world population, suffer from this unpleasant response. This phenomenon is caused by a genetic deficiency of the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) gene which plays a critical role for alcohol detoxification. Contrary to a misunderstanding that alcohol flushing is a sign of “good health”, this reaction is a sign of acetaldehyde accumulation which is toxic. Our presentation will explain the biological cause of the alcohol flushing reaction and the related health issues for those carrying the alcohol flushing gene.
Speakers:
Eric Gross, MD, PhD, is an anesthesiologist developing non-narcotic cardiac-safe pain therapeutics. The Gross Lab is designing next generation analgesics that are safe to use for those with cardiovascular disease. Dr. Gross's previous basic science research background involves examining the mechanism of how opioids and volatile anesthetics protect tissue from ischemia-reperfusion injury and what are the molecular mechanisms involved both through in vivo and cellular models of ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Che-Hong Chen, PhD, is a molecular biologist and geneticist at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Chen’s research is highlighted by the discovery of a class of novel enzyme modulators of aldehyde dehydrogenase. Some of these small molecule modulators are potent enzyme activators for the variant East Asian-specific dysfunctional ALDH2, which causes the alcohol flushing syndrome. Dr. Chen is now actively promoting public health education, cancer prevention and the awareness of health risks associated with harmful alcohol use and alcohol flushing caused by ALDH2 deficiency in Taiwan and East Asia.
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