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Review

The Molecular Basis of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Genetics, Epigenetics, and Nutrition in AUD: An Amazing Triangle

by
Agnieszka Siomek-Gorecka
1,*,
Anna Dlugosz
2 and
Damian Czarnecki
3
1
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 85-095 Bydgoszcz, Poland
2
Department of Engineering and Chemical and Food Analytics, Faculty of Chemical Technology and Engineering, UTP University of Science and Technology, 85-326 Bydgoszcz, Poland
3
Department of Preventive Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, L. Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 85-821 Bydgoszcz, Poland
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(8), 4262; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22084262
Submission received: 12 February 2021 / Revised: 15 April 2021 / Accepted: 16 April 2021 / Published: 20 April 2021
(This article belongs to the Special Issue DNA and RNA Modifications in Epigenetic Regulation and Disease)

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a very common and complex disease, as alcohol is the most widely used addictive drug in the world. This disorder has an enormous impact on public health and social and private life, and it generates a huge number of social costs. Alcohol use stimulates hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis responses and is the cause of many physical and social problems (especially liver disease and cancer), accidental injury, and risky sexual behavior. For years, researchers have been trying to identify the genetic basis of alcohol use disorder, the molecular mechanisms responsible for its development, and an effective form of therapy. Genetic and environmental factors are known to contribute to the development of AUD, and the expression of genes is a complicated process that depends on epigenetic modulations. Dietary nutrients, such as vitamins, may serve as one these modulators, as they have a direct impact on epigenomes. In this review, we connect gathered knowledge from three emerging fields—genetics, epigenetics, and nutrition—to form an amazing triangle relating to alcohol use disorder.
Keywords: epigenetics; genetics; nutrition; alcohol use disorder epigenetics; genetics; nutrition; alcohol use disorder

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Siomek-Gorecka, A.; Dlugosz, A.; Czarnecki, D. The Molecular Basis of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Genetics, Epigenetics, and Nutrition in AUD: An Amazing Triangle. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 4262. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22084262

AMA Style

Siomek-Gorecka A, Dlugosz A, Czarnecki D. The Molecular Basis of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Genetics, Epigenetics, and Nutrition in AUD: An Amazing Triangle. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021; 22(8):4262. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22084262

Chicago/Turabian Style

Siomek-Gorecka, Agnieszka, Anna Dlugosz, and Damian Czarnecki. 2021. "The Molecular Basis of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Genetics, Epigenetics, and Nutrition in AUD: An Amazing Triangle" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22, no. 8: 4262. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22084262

APA Style

Siomek-Gorecka, A., Dlugosz, A., & Czarnecki, D. (2021). The Molecular Basis of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Genetics, Epigenetics, and Nutrition in AUD: An Amazing Triangle. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(8), 4262. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22084262

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