Gender-specific interactions between alcohol metabolism genes and severity of quantitative alcohol-related-traits in a Tibetan population

► We tested quantitative associations separately in heavy- and mild-/non-drinkers. ► Those with ALDH2*2 or/and ADH1B*2 drank less among mild-/non-drinkers. ► But they had higher scores of alcohol related problems among heavy-drinkers. ► Males with CYP2E1*c2 and homozygous for ALDH2*1 and ADH1B*1 drank more in heavy-drinkers. ► The genes' interactions may operate diversely between heavy- and mild-/non-drinkers.