Longevity-associated NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2 237 Leu/Met polymorphism influences the effects of alcohol consumption on serum uric acid levels in nonobese Japanese men

NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2 237 leucine/methionine (ND2-237 Leu/Met) polymorphism is reportedly associated with longevity in the Japanese population. The ND2-237Met genotype may confer resistance to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular atherogenic diseases. Hyperuricemia is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. To investigate whether ND2-237 Leu/Met polymorphism is associated with serum uric acid (SUA) levels, we conducted a cross-sectional study in 321 healthy Japanese male subjects. In nonobese (body mass index, BMI<25) male subjects, interaction between ND2-237 Leu/Met genotypes and drinking frequency on SUA levels was observed (P=0.031). The SUA levels were significantly higher in daily drinkers with ND2-237Leu than in non-daily drinkers with ND2-237Leu (P=0.018). In nonobese men, after adjustment for covariates, daily drinkers with ND2-237Leu had a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) for hyperuricemia (SUA≥6.5 mg/dl: vs. daily drinkers with ND2-237Met, OR=3.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14–9.29; vs. non-daily drinkers with ND2-237Leu, OR=3.22, 95% CI 1.39–7.45; SUA≥7.0 mg/dl: vs. non-daily drinkers with ND2-237Met, OR=3.53, 95% CI 1.00–12.4). However, in obese (BMI≥25) men, no significant interaction between ND2-237 Leu/Met polymorphism and habitual drinking on SUA levels or on the risk for hyperuricemia was observed. These results suggest that ND2-237 Leu/Met polymorphism modulates the effects of daily alcohol consumption on SUA levels in nonobese Japanese men.