NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2 237 Leu/Met polymorphism modifies the effects of alcohol consumption on risk for hypertension in middle-aged Japanese men.

NADH dehydrogenase subunit-2 237 leucine/methionine (ND2-237 Leu/Met) polymorphism is associated with longevity in the Japanese population, and the ND2-237Met genotype may exert antiatherogenic effects. To investigate whether ND2-237 Leu/Met polymorphism is associated with risk of hypertension, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 398 Japanese male subjects. The frequency of hypertension was significantly higher in ND2-237Leu genotypic men than in ND2-237Met genotypic men. On analysis of covariance, the interaction between ND2-237 Leu/Met polymorphism and habitual drinking was significantly associated with both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the ND2-237Met genotype, particularly in younger subjects (age <60 years), had a lower odds ratio for hypertension than the ND2-237Leu genotype. Moreover, the association of ND2-237 Leu/Met polymorphism with hypertension may depend on the frequency of alcohol consumption. The odds ratio for hypertension was significantly higher in daily drinkers with ND2-237Leu when compared with non- or ex-drinkers with ND2-237Leu. However, the association between the ND2-237Met genotype and hypertension may not depend on the frequency of alcohol consumption. The present results suggest that ND2-237 Leu/Met polymorphism is associated with hypertension and that modification of hypertension risk is dependent on alcohol consumption in middle-aged Japanese men.