Search resultsModerate alcohol consumption and lower levels of inflammatory markers in US men and women
Title
Moderate alcohol consumption and lower levels of inflammatory markers in US men and women
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2006
Authors
Journal
Atherosclerosis
Volume
186
Issue
1
Pagination
113 - 120
Date published
2006
ISBN
00219150 (ISSN)
Keywords
Acute-Phase Proteins, Adult, Aged, alcohol, alcohol consumption, Alcohol Drinking, article, Biological Markers, C reactive protein, cardiovascular disease, Cardiovascular Diseases, comparative study, controlled study, Cytokines, epidemiology, Female, Follow-Up Studies, health practitioner, human, Humans, inflammation, interleukin 6, male, Middle Aged, normal human, priority journal, Prospective Studies, prospective study, Risk Factors, sample size, Severity of Illness Index, Sex Factors, statistical analysis, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, tumor necrosis factor receptor 2, United States
Abstract
Objective: Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with substantially lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We assessed the relationship between alcohol intake and inflammatory markers to partially explain this beneficial effect. Methods and results: From two large prospective studies, we sampled 959 healthy male and 473 healthy female health professionals with reported alcohol intake. Markers of inflammation were soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptors 1 and 2 (sTNF-R1 and sTNF-R2), C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). We found significant inverse linear trends for sTNF-R1 (p-trend < 0.001 men; 0.03 women) and sTNF-R2 (p-trend = 0.002 men; 0.08 women) with increasing alcohol intake. Compared to non-drinkers, men who consumed on average 1-2 drinks/day had 26% lower CRP (-0.66 mg/L, p = 0.13), and 36% lower IL-6 (-1.12 pg/ml, p = 0.02) levels. Among women, a similar though stronger association was observed at half drink per day. Compared to non-drinkers, both men and women who consumed 1-2 drinks/drinking day had significantly lower sTNF-R1 (-9% in men, -6% in women) and sTNF-R2 (-7% in men, -6% in women) levels as well as lower CRP (-10% in men, -32% in women) and IL-6 (-45% in men, -27% in women) levels. Conclusions: Alcohol in moderation is associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers and may lower risk of CVD through these mechanisms.