Catalase as a regulator of the propensity to ingest alcohol in geneticallydetermined acatalasemic individuals from Israel

Direct descendants of an individual residing in Israel, who was diagnosed i n the 1960s with agenetic deficiency in catalase, were examined for their p ropensity to consume alcohol. These individuals were found to possess a low er level of catalase activity compared to that of a group of matched contro ls with the same ethnic background. IF;While no differences were observed i n the propensity, to drink alcohol between the two groups, the catalase def icient individuals did show a significant positive correlation between cata lase activity and alcohol drinking behaviour as measured by Q-value. No suc h relationship was observed in the matched controls. The findings suggest t hat the apparent acatalasemia in rite experimental subjects may act as a li miting factor for these individuals and that catalase may play an important role in regulating alcohol drinking behaviour These results are consistent with previous animal and human studies which suggest that catalase, via it s ability to produce acetaldehyde through the metabolism of ethanol, may ha ve a regulatory role in the propensity to drink alcohol.