Overview
- Osaka Metropolitan University used Aldh2*2 knock-in mice, modeling a common East Asian variant that impairs aldehyde detoxification, and exposed them to allyl alcohol metabolized to acrolein.
- The exposure produced a rapid rise of multiple aldehydes in blood—an “aldehyde storm”—followed by hepatic accumulation and extensive liver injury.
- Liver glutathione levels were severely depleted during the surge, driving oxidative stress and iron-dependent cell death consistent with ferroptosis.
- Researchers said the acrolein dose exceeded smoking exposure, whereas patients on acrolein-generating chemotherapy such as cyclophosphamide may face greater risk.
- The authors recommend that ALDH2*2 carriers limit aldehyde sources including cigarette and e‑cigarette smoke, support antioxidant defenses through diet, and monitor liver health as follow-up studies assess chronic exposure and cancer links.