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Alcohol Use and Gamma-Glutamyltransferase Using a Mendelian Randomization Design in the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study

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  • Lin Xu
  • Chao Qiang Jiang
  • Kar Keung Cheng
  • Shiu Lun Ryan Au Yeung
  • Wei Sen Zhang
  • Tai Hing Lam
  • Catherine Mary Schooling

Abstract

Background: Observational studies and small intervention studies suggest alcohol raises gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). We used Mendelian randomization to assess the causal effect of alcohol use on GGT in older Chinese people. Methods: An instrumental variable (IV) analysis in 2,321 men and 2,757 women aged 50+ years from phase 3 of the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study with ALDH2 (rs671) genotyped, alcohol use and GGT available was used to assess the causal effect of alcohol use on GGT. Rs671 was used as an IV and F-statistics was used to test for weak instrument hypothesis. An F-statistic of ≥10 indicates the IV is not weak. Results: In men, the F-statistic for rs671 on alcohol use was 70. Using IV analysis alcohol use increased GGT by 10.60 U/L per alcohol unit (10 gram ethanol) per day (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.58 to 14.62). The estimate was lower in observational multivariate regression: 3.48 U/L GGT per alcohol unit per day (95% CI 2.84 to 4.11) adjusted for age, education, physical activity and smoking. In women, rs671 was not associated with alcohol or GGT and the F-statistic was 7 precluding IV analysis. Conclusion: In Mendelian randomization, we found confirmative evidence that alcohol use increases GGT among Southern Chinese men. Moreover, we found that the ALDH2 variant rs671 was not associated with GGT among Southern Chinese women who generally consume very low levels of alcohol. Taken together our findings strongly suggest that alcohol increases GGT, although we cannot rule out the possibility that other unknown factors may cause a different relation between alcohol and GGT in other populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Lin Xu & Chao Qiang Jiang & Kar Keung Cheng & Shiu Lun Ryan Au Yeung & Wei Sen Zhang & Tai Hing Lam & Catherine Mary Schooling, 2015. "Alcohol Use and Gamma-Glutamyltransferase Using a Mendelian Randomization Design in the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(9), pages 1-10, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0137790
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137790
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shiu Lun Au Yeung & Chaoqiang Jiang & Kar Keung Cheng & Benjamin J Cowling & Bin Liu & Weisen Zhang & Tai Hing Lam & Gabriel M Leung & C Mary Schooling, 2013. "Moderate Alcohol Use and Cardiovascular Disease from Mendelian Randomization," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(7), pages 1-9, July.
    2. Debbie A Lawlor & Marianne Benn & Luisa Zuccolo & N Maneka G De Silva & Anne Tybjaerg-Hansen & George Davey Smith & Børge G Nordestgaard, 2014. "ADH1B and ADH1C Genotype, Alcohol Consumption and Biomarkers of Liver Function: Findings from a Mendelian Randomization Study in 58,313 European Origin Danes," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(12), pages 1-14, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yon Ho Jee & Sun Ju Lee & Keum Ji Jung & Sun Ha Jee, 2016. "Alcohol Intake and Serum Glucose Levels from the Perspective of a Mendelian Randomization Design: The KCPS-II Biobank," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(9), pages 1-9, September.

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