Cor Vasa 2004, 45(3):110-114
The effect of moderate alcohol consumption on lipoprotein metabolism
- Laboratoř pro výzkum aterosklerózy, Institut klinické a experimentální medicíny a Centrum experimentálního výzkumu chorob srdce a cév, Praha, Česká republika
Introduction:
About half of the protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is due to increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration. Our study was designed to determine whether changes in the activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL), enzymes responsible for the catabolism of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, could contribute to alcohol-induced HDL-C increase.
Method:
Eighteen healthy men consumed alcohol (36 g/day) for 3 weeks while abstaining from alcohol consumption for another 3 weeks. Concentrations of cholesterol and TG in plasma and in ultracentrifugally isolated lipoprotein fractions, and LPL and HL activities were determined and the intravenous lipid tolerance test performed at the end of each intervention period.
Results:
Alcohol consumption was associated with increased levels of HDL-C (1.34 ± 0.26 vs. 1.26 ± 0.23 mmol/l), while having no effect on cholesterol and TG levels in plasma and lipoprotein subfractions. LPL and HL activity was increased by 15% and 4%, respectively, after alcohol consumption; k2 rate constant for clearance of fat emulsion in vivo was not significantly affected. There were no correlations between the change in HDL-C levels and changes in LPL and HL activities or k2.
Conclusion:
Changes in the activity of enzymes augmenting TG catabolism in circulation do not seem to be the key factor contributing to the rise in HDL-C following moderate alcohol consumption.
Keywords: Alcohol; HDL; Lipoprotein lipase; Hepatic lipase
Published: March 1, 2004 Show citation