CityUHK researchers unveil the mystery of "Asian Flush" mechanism, pioneering new directions in precision treatment for heart attacks
HONG KONG, March 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Approximately 40% of the East Asian population suffers from alcohol intolerance, commonly known as "Asian Flush Syndrome". This ALDH2 genetic mutation is more than just a metabolic defect; it conceals a deadly cardiovascular risk. While the medical community has long observed that carriers of this mutation suffer more severe heart damage during a myocardial infarction (heart attack), the specific underlying mechanism has remained a mystery until now.
A research team led by Professor Yin Huiyong, Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK), recently published a groundbreaking study in Circulation, a top-tier journal in cardiovascular medicine. Titled "ALDH2/eIF3E Interaction Modulates Protein Translation Critical for Cardiomyocyte Ferroptosis in Acute Myocardial Ischemia Injury", the research reveals for the first time how the ALDH2 mutation triggers "ferroptosis"—a specific type of cell death—during heart attacks, leading to a rapid deterioration of cardiac tissue. This discovery opens new doors for precision prevention and treatment for hundreds of millions of gene carriers worldwide.
The study highlights that the ALDH2 mutation does not only impair alcohol metabolism but also significantly worsens heart damage during acute myocardial infarction. The team carried out a clinical study of 177 Chinese patients with acute heart failure, and found that those carrying the ALDH2 mutation exhibited much more severe cardiac dysfunc