Search resultsChanges in the immune system after moderate beer consumption
Title
Changes in the immune system after moderate beer consumption
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2007
Authors
Journal
Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism
Volume
51
Issue
4
Pagination
359 - 366
Date published
2007
ISBN
02506807 (ISSN)
Keywords
abstinence, Adult, alcohol abstinence, alcohol consumption, Alcoholic Beverages, Antibodies, Antibody Formation, article, B lymphocyte, beer, CD4+ T lymphocyte, CD8+ T lymphocyte, Cell-mediated immunity, comparative study, concentration (parameters), controlled study, Cross-Over Studies, cytokine production, Cytokines, delayed hypersensitivity, Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Female, gamma interferon, human, Humans, humoral immunity, immune system, Immunity, Cellular, immunoglobulin, immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin blood level, Immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, immunological parameters, immunomodulation, interleukin 10, interleukin 2, interleukin 4, interleukin 6, intervention study, leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, Lymphocyte subsets, male, Middle Aged, Moderate alcohol consumption, normal human, priority journal, sex difference, Sex Factors, T-Lymphocyte Subsets, tumor necrosis factor alpha
Abstract
Background/Aim: Epidemiological studies have suggested that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with lower morbidity. However, intervention studies are needed to elucidate mechanisms involved. This study was aimed to determine the effects of moderate beer consumption on the immune function of healthy adults, taking into account gender differences. Methods: After a 30-day alcohol abstinence period, 57 healthy volunteers consumed a moderate intake of beer (330 ml for women and 660 ml for men) for 30 days. Total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts; absolute values of T-lymphocyte CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ subsets; delayed-hypersensitivity skin response (DHSR); absolute values of B lymphocytes (CD19+) and serum immunoglobulin concentrations (IgG, IgA, and IgM); and cytokine production (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) were evaluated following the abstinence and alcohol consumption periods. Results: After moderate beer consumption CD3+ cells increased only in women (p < 0.05). IgG, IgM, and IgA concentrations, as well as IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, and IFN-γ cytokine production increased while IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio decreased in both men and women (p < 0.05). The rest of the immunological parameters analyzed remained unchanged. Conclusion: Moderate beer consumption produced an immunomodulatory effect in a healthy adult Spanish population; this effect appears to be more relevant in women than in men. Copyright