Associations between heavy alcohol drinking and lipid-related indices in middle-aged men

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide forms aggregates with apolipoproteins in male and female rat brains after ethanol binges

Alcohol binge drinking allows the translocation of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from the gut to the blood, which activates the peripheral immune system with consequences in neuroinflammation. A possible access/direct signaling of LPS to/in the brain has not yet been described under alcohol abuse conditions. Apolipoproteins are compounds altered by alcohol with high affinity to LPS which may be involved in its transport to the brain or in its elimination. Here, we explored the expression of small components of LPS, in its free form or bound to apolipoproteins, in the brain of female and male rats exposed to alcohol binges. Animals received ethanol oral gavages (3 g/kg every 8 h) for 4 days. LPS or its components (Lipid A and core), LPS-binding protein, corticosterone, lipoproteins (HDL, LDL), apolipoproteins (ApoAI, ApoB, and ApoE), and their receptors were measured in plasma and/or in nonperfused prefrontal cortex (PFC) and cerebellum. Brain LipidA-apolipoprotein aggregates were determined by Western blotting and confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. In animals exposed to alcohol binges: 1) plasma LPS-binding protein was elevated in both sexes; 2) females showed elevations in plasma ApoAI and corticosterone levels; 3) Lipid A formed aggregates with ApoAI in the female PFC and with ApoB in males, the latter showing Toll-like receptor 4 upregulation in PFC but not females. These results suggest that small bacterial components are present within the brain, forming aggregates with different apolipoproteins, depending on the sex, after alcohol binge intoxications. Results may have implications for the crosstalk between alcohol, LPS, and neuroinflammation.

Association of Long-term exposure to air pollution and residential greenness with lipid profile: Mediating role of inflammation

Lipidemic effect of air pollutants are still inconsistent and their joint effects are neglected. Meanwhile, identified inflammation pathways in animal have not been applied in epidemiological studies, and beneficial effect of residential greenness remained unclear. Therefore, we used data from typically air-polluted Chinese cities to answer these questions. Particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of ≤ 1 µm (PM₁), PM with a diameter of ≤ 2.5 µm (PM_2.5), PM with a diameter of ≤ 10 µm (PM₁₀), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and ozone (O₃) were predicted by space-time extremely randomized trees model. Residential greenness was reflected by Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were measured, and atherogenic coefficient (AC) and TG/HDL-C (TGH) ratio were calculated to indicate lipid metabolism. Generalized additive mixed model and quantile g-computation were respectively conducted to investigate individual and joint lipidemic effect of air pollutants. Covariates including demographical characteristics, living habits, meteorological factors, time trends, and disease information were considered to avoid confounding our results. Complement C3 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were analyzed as potential mediators. Finally, association between NDVI and lipid markers were explored. We found that long-term air pollutants exposure were positively associated with lipid markers. Complement C3 mediated 54.72% (95% CI: 0.30, 63.10) and 72.53% (95% CI: 0.65, 77.61) of the association between PM₁ and TC and LDL-C, respectively. We found some significant associations of lipid markers with NDVI_1000 m rather than NDVI_500 m. BMI, disease status, smoke/drink habits are important effect modifiers. Results are robust in sensitive analysis. Our study indicated that air pollutants exposure may detriment lipid metabolism and inflammation may be the potential triggering pathways, while greenness may exert beneficial effects. This study provided insights for the lipidemic effects of air pollution and greenness.

Lifestyle Score and Risk of Hypertension in the Airwave Health Monitoring Study of British Police Force Employees

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggest that promoting a combination of healthy lifestyle behaviors instead of exclusively focusing on a single behavior may have a greater impact on blood pressure (BP). We aimed to evaluate lifestyle factors and their impact on the risk of hypertension and BP.

METHODS

We analyzed cross-sectional health-screening data from the Airwave Health Monitoring Study of 40,462 British police force staff. A basic lifestyle-score including waist-circumference, smoking and serum total cholesterol was calculated, with a greater value indicating a better lifestyle. Individual/combined scores of other lifestyle factors (sleep duration, physical activity, alcohol intake, and diet quality) were also developed.

RESULTS

A 1-point higher basic lifestyle-score was associated with a lower systolic BP (SBP; -2.05 mmHg, 95%CI: -2.15, -1.95); diastolic BP (DBP; -1.98 mmHg, 95%CI: -2.05, -1.91) and was inversely associated with risk of hypertension. Combined scores of other factors showed attenuated but significant associations with the addition of sleep, physical activity, and diet quality to the basic lifestyle-score; however, alcohol intake did not further attenuate results.

CONCLUSIONS

Modifiable intermediary factors have a stronger contribution to BP, namely, waist-circumference and cholesterol levels and factors that may directly influence them, such as diet, physical activity and sleep. Observed findings suggest that alcohol is a confounder in the BP-lifestyle score relation.

Beeswax Alcohol and Fermented Black Rice Bran Synergistically Ameliorated Hepatic Injury and Dyslipidemia to Exert Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Ethanol-Supplemented Zebrafish

Alcohol abuse, a global health problem, is closely associated with many pathological processes, such as dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease. In particular, excessive alcohol consumption promotes dyslipidemia and liver damage, such as hepatic steatosis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Beeswax alcohol (BWA) is a natural product used for its antioxidant properties that has not been evaluated for its efficacy in alcohol-induced liver injury. In the present study, zebrafish were exposed to 1% ethanol with supplementation of 10% fermented black rice bran (BRB-F), 10% BWA, or 10% mixtures of BWA+BRB-F (MIX). The BRB-F, BWA, and MIX supplementation increased the survival rate dramatically without affecting the body weight changes. In histology of hepatic tissue, alcoholic foamy degeneration was ameliorated by the BWA or MIX supplements. Moreover, dihydroethidium (DHE) and immunohistochemistry staining suggested that the MIX supplement decreased the hepatic ROS production and interleukin-6 expression significantly owing to the enhanced antioxidant properties, such as paraoxonase. Furthermore, the MIX supplement improved alcohol-induced dyslipidemia and oxidative stress. The BWA and MIX groups showed lower blood total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels with higher high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) than the alcohol-alone group. The MIX group showed the highest HDL-C/TC ratio and HDL-C/TG ratio with the lowest low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C/HDL-C ratio. In conclusion, BWA and BRB-F showed efficacy to treat alcohol-related metabolic disorders, but the MIX supplement was more effective in ameliorating the liver damage and dyslipidemia, which agrees with an enhanced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity exhibited by BWA/BRB-F in a synergistic manner.

Lifestyle elements and risk of metabolic syndrome in adults

Background

The aim of the study was to investigate which elements of lifestyle are associated with metabolic health in adults, defined as the absence of components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) based on the International Diabetes Federation criteria.

Methods

Data from 10,277 individuals aged 40–65 years constituted the material of this study. Univariate and multivariate analyses with backward stepwise selection were carried out to identify the factors associated with the absence of metabolic disorders.

Results

No family history of cardiovascular disease increased the odds of being metabolically healthy 1.5-2-fold. Furthermore, the following factors were associated with higher odds of being metabolically healthy in men: abstinence from alcohol (healthy individuals vs. those with ≥3 [OR = 5.49 (2.23–13.52); p<0.001], ≥2 [OR = 4.52 (1.87–10.91); p = 0.001], and ≥1 components of MetS [OR = 3.04 (1.41–6.56); p = 0.005]), moderate alcohol use (healthy individuals vs. those with ≥3 [OR = 3.36 (1.54–7.32); p = 0.002], ≥2 [OR = 3.28 (1.52–7.10); p = 0.002], and ≥1 components of MetS [OR = 3.93 (1.64–9.42); p = 0.002]), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) >2 hours/day and sitting time of 3–6 hours/day. Drinking >2 cups of coffee per day (healthy vs. those with ≥3 [OR = 2.00 (1.47–2.71)], ≥2 [OR = 1.84 (1.38–2.45)], and ≥1 components of MetS [OR = 1.72 (1.30–2.28); all p<0.001]), limiting animal fats to <2 servings/day, MVPA >2 hours/day, and 7–8 hours of sleep per day were associated with higher odds of being metabolically healthy in women.

Conclusions

A healthy lifestyle increased the odds of being metabolically healthy. Some lifestyle modifications may appear effective in prevention of not only MetS, but also single metabolic risk factors.

Folic acid intervention changes liver Foxp3 methylation and ameliorates the damage caused by Th17/Treg imbalance after long-term alcohol exposure

Folic acid, as a key source of methyl donor in DNA methylation, has been proved to play a beneficial role in inflammation modulation, which is usually impaired in alcoholic liver disease (ALD). However, the role of folic acid in alcoholic liver inflammation and injury remain elusive. In this study, we sought to uncover the potential protective mechanism by which folic acid ameliorates alcoholic liver injury. 100 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal saline group, folic acid control group (5 mg per kg BW), ethanol model group (56% v/v, 10 mL per kg BW), folic acid + ethanol group, and 5-Aza + ethanol group (0.1 mL per 20 g BW). Liquor (10 mL per kg BW) was orally administered 1 h after the folic acid treatment for 10 consecutive weeks. The results showed that folic acid-inhibited ethanol-induced serum TG, TC, and LDL elevation attenuated hepatic fat accumulation and maintained ALT at a normal level. 10 weeks of ethanol administration simultaneously upregulated the hepatic proportion of Th17 and Treg cells to different extents and broke the homeostasis of liver immunization. Folic acid limited ethanol-induced inflammatory injury by increasing the frequency of hepatic Treg cells. Importantly, this effect may be caused by decreased DNMT3a, which in turn downregulates the methylated levels of CPG2 and CPG3 in the Foxp3 promoter region, changing the abundance of Foxp3 expression and improving the Th17/Treg imbalance. In summary, our findings demonstrated that folic acid supplementation may relieve ethanol-induced Th17/Treg disbalance through altering Foxp3 promoter methylation patterns, suggesting that folic acid may be a feasible preventive strategy for ALD.

Prevalence and Correlates of Physical Comorbidities in Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD): a Pilot Study in Treatment-Seeking Population

This study aimed to understand the prevalence of physical comorbidities, undiagnosed and inadequately controlled chronic physical conditions and correlates of high cholesterol, hypertension and liver enzyme abnormalities in those with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Participants (n = 101) with AUD were recruited from a tertiary care centre through convenient sampling. The prevalence of physical and psychiatric comorbidities in the sample was 83.17% and 51.49%, respectively. Around 53.47% had two or more chronic physical conditions (multimorbidity). Hypertension (44.55%), asthma (23.76%), high cholesterol (22.77%) and liver enzyme abnormalities (21.78%) were the top four physical comorbidities. The prevalence of undiagnosed and inadequately controlled chronic physical conditions was 61.4% and 32.7%, respectively. Gender, education and body mass index (BMI) were associated with hyperlipidaemia while age and education were associated with hypertension. Higher waist-hip ratio was associated with liver enzyme abnormalities. Routine clinical care must include regular screening and follow-up of the risk groups to monitor their physical and mental health.

Four-Way Decomposition of Effect of Alcohol Consumption and Body Mass Index on Lipid Profile

Background: Both obesity and alcohol consumption are strongly associated with dyslipidemia; however, it remains unclear whether their joint effect on lipid profiles is through mediation, interaction, or a combination of the two. Methods: In total, 9849 subjects were selected from the 2009 panel of China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). A four-way decomposition method was used to validate the pathways of drinking and body mass index (BMI) on lipids (total cholesterol, TC; triglyceride, TG; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, LDL-C; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, HDL-C; apolipoprotein A, APO-A; and apolipoprotein B, APO-B). Results: According to four-way decomposition, the total effects of drinking on lipids were found to be statistically significant, except for LDL-C. The components due to reference interaction were 0.63, 0.48, 0.60, −0.39, −0.30, and 0.20 for TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, APO-A and APO-B, respectively (p < 0.05 for all). The effect size of pure indirect effect and mediated interaction were 0.001~0.006 (p > 0.05 for all). Further, linear regression models were used to examine the effect of BMI on lipid profiles in drinkers and non-drinkers. The associations of BMI and lipids were higher in all drinkers than in non-drinkers (0.069 versus 0.048 for TC, 0.079 versus 0.059 for TG, 0.057 versus 0.037 for LDL-C, −0.045 versus −0.029 for HDL-C, −0.024 versus −0.011 for APO-A and 0.026 versus 0.019 for APO-B, p interaction <0.05 for all). Conclusions: The joint effect of alcohol consumption and obesity on lipid profiles is through interaction rather than mediation. Alcohol consumption amplifies the harmful effect of BMI on lipid profiles. Greater attention should be paid to lipid health and cardiovascular risk in obese individuals regarding alcohol consumption. For obese individuals, we do not recommend alcohol consumption.

Association between alcohol consumption status and obesity-related comorbidities in men: data from the 2016 Korean community health survey

Background

This study was performed to investigate the association between the amount of alcohol consumption or binge drinking and obesity-related comorbidities in Korean men.

Methods

A total of 103,048 men aged 19 years or older were investigated in the 2016 Korean Community Health Survey. The participants were divided into five groups according to the standard number of alcoholic drinks consumed per week.

Results

Of the total participants, 20.7% were in the high alcohol consumption group, consuming more than 28 drinks per week. After adjustment for clinical factors, high alcohol consumption was significantly associated with higher odds ratios (ORs) of obesity (OR, 1.449; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.412 to 1.591; P < 0.0001), hypertension (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.636 to 1.894; P < 0.0001), and dyslipidemia (OR, 1.356; 95% CI, 1.247 to 1.474; P < 0.0001). In contrast, mild to moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a lower risk of diabetes (OR, 0.799; 95% CI, 0.726 to 0.88; P = 0.0015) and high alcohol consumption was not associated with a higher risk of diabetes (OR, 0.945; 95% CI, 0.86 to 1.039; P = 0.0662). Among drinkers, except for social drinkers, binge drinking was significantly associated with higher risks of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.

Conclusions

High alcohol consumption was associated with higher risks of obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia in Korean men. In contrast, high consumption was not associated with a higher risk of diabetes. In particular, binge drinkers were associated with higher risks of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia compared to non-binge drinkers.

Predictors of the Prevalence of Dyslipidemia and Influencing Factors for Young Health Examination Cohort: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of dyslipidemia and associated influencing factors in young adults in the southeastern coastal area of China. Methods: This study adopted a cross-sectional survey and included 7,859 young people who underwent examinations at three hospitals in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. All subjects completed a questionnaire in the form of face-to-face interviews and underwent anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests. The continuous data are presented as the means ± standard deviations and were compared using Student's t-tests. The categorical variables are presented as proportions. The influencing factors associated with dyslipidemia were evaluated through a multivariate logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of dyslipidemia among young adults aged 18-45 years in the southeastern coast of China was high with 7.1, 15.0, 22.9, and 4.0% for high-total cholesterol (TC), high-triglyceride (TG), low-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and high-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Among those with dyslipidemia, a statistically significant difference in sex was observed, and all types of dyslipidemia were associated with smoking and alcohol consumption. However, those with high-TG, high-LDL, and low-HDL levels did not significantly differ in education level or occupation. The presence of dyslipidemia was significantly associated with increased age, the male sex (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.39-2.21), smoking (OR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.98-2.13), alcohol consumption (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.16-1.63), overweight or obesity (OR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.79-2.41), and intellectual work (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.11-1.72). Conclusion: The prevalence of dyslipidemia among young adults aged 18-45 years in the southeastern coast of China was high. To prevent dyslipidemia at an early age, it is essential to conduct effective intervention programs targeting risk factors and to implement routine screening programs.

Association of Alcohol Consumption and Ideal Cardiovascular Health Among South Asians: The Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Study

BACKGROUND

Observational studies have shown that alcohol consumption above the recommended limit is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD), although its association in South Asians is unclear. Less is known regarding the association between alcohol consumption and cardiovascular health (CVH), assessed by the American Heart Association's Life's Simple 7 (LS7) health metrics among those with South Asian ancestry.

METHODS

This analysis included 701 participants without CVD from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) cohort (2015 to 2018). Based on a personal history questionnaire, participants were divided into never, former, and current drinkers. The current drinking category was further classified into 1 to 3 drinks/wk, 4 to 7 drinks/wk, and >7 drinks/wk. The consumption of 5 or more drinks on 1 occasion in the past month was defined as binge drinking. Each LS7 component was given a point score of 0, 1, or 2. The total score was categorized into 0 to 6, 7 to 10, and 11 to 14 to represent poor, intermediate, and ideal CVH, respectively. We use multinomial logistic regression to examine the association between alcohol consumption and CVH.

RESULTS

In the MASALA cohort (mean age = 59 years, 43% female), participants consuming >7 drinks/wk had the lowest mean CVH score. Compared with never drinkers, male participants consuming >7 drinks/wk were less likely to have intermediate CVH (0.44 [0.08, 0.91]) and ideal CVH (0.23 [0.03, 0.96]). Binge drinking was associated with significantly lower odds of ideal CVH compared with never drinkers.

CONCLUSION

We found evidence of an inverse association of moderate to heavy alcohol consumption and ideal CVH in South Asian men. These findings further underscore the important relationship between alcohol consumption and CVH in this unique population of South Asians.

The Effect of Smoking on the Association between Long-Term Alcohol Consumption and Dyslipidemia in a Middle-Aged and Older Population

AIMS

The joint effects of chronic alcohol consumption and smoking on dyslipidemia remain unclear in a prospective design. This study examined the effect of smoking on the association between long-term alcohol consumption and risk of incident dyslipidemia.

METHODS

A total of 4467 participants (1866 men and 2601women) aged 40-69 years without dyslipidemia were recruited at baseline. Alcohol consumption was assessed biennially using a questionnaire and classified as light, moderate or heavy drinker. Smoking status was examined at baseline and categorized into non-smokers and current smokers. Dyslipidemia was defined as the presence of one or more of following: hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride ≥200 mg/dL), hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol ≥240 mg/dL), low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) < 40 mg/dL, or high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥160 mg/dL.

RESULTS

During a follow-up period of 12 years, 2872 (64.3%) participants developed dyslipidemia. In non-smoking men, light or moderate alcohol consumption was associated with a lower risk of incident dyslipidemia such as hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia, whereas this association was not observed in current smoking men. Unlike non-smokers, the duration of alcohol drinking > 10 years was associated with a higher risk of hypertriglyceridemia in current smoking men (hazard ratio = 1.57, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-2.30, P = 0.020). In addition, alcohol consumption was inversely associated with low HDL-C regardless of smoking status. In women, alcohol consumption was inversely associated with dyslipidemia hypercholesterolemia and low HDL-C regardless of alcohol amount.

CONCLUSION

Smoking crucially confounds the association between long-term alcohol consumption and dyslipidemia, particularly in hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia.

The Joint Effects of Smoking and Alcohol Drinking on Lipid-Related Indices among Chinese Males-Comparing Exercise and Non-Exercise Groups

BACKGROUND

Smoking and drinking are two predisposing factors for dyslipidemia. Exercise has been proposed as a strategy to improve the blood lipids. However, it remains unclear how smoking and drinking jointly affect blood lipids and whether exercise influences their effects.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effects of smoking and drinking, either alone or in combination, on lipid-related indices in both exercise and non-exercise groups among Chinese men.

METHODS

This study was conducted in a health examination center between 2015 and 2016. A sample of 6,179 male subjects was divided into exercise and non-exercise groups. Logistic and linear regression analyses were used to calculate the odds ratios for abnormal lipid-related indices and correlation coefficients between smoking/drinking and lipid-related indices.

RESULTS

In the study population, the percentage of stable smokers and stable drinkers was 46.3% (2,860/6,179) and 77.6% (4,795/6,179), respectively. An increased smoking amount was significantly associated with an elevated triglyceride (TG) level and a decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level. Heavier smokers had higher odds ratios for high TG and low HDL-C. Heavier drinkers had higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), TG, and HDL-C and higher odds ratios for high TC and high TG but lower odds ratio for low HDL-C. The exercise group had lower TG levels and higher HDL-C levels than did the non-exercise group.

CONCLUSIONS

Both heavier smoking and heavier drinking were associated with poorer TG levels, and the results suggest that drinking may be helpful for HDL-C. Exercise may relieve the negative effects of smoking and drinking.

Relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and binge drinking among college students in South Korea

This study determined cardiovascular risk among Korean college students with a history of binge drinking. Variables included alcohol consumption, cardiovascular risk factors (increased blood pressure, body mass index, lipid values) and markers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fibrinogen), and 10-year Framingham risk scores. Korean college student binge drinkers had higher triglyceride levels and higher ratios of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol than did abstainers. Average number of drinks on one occasion was correlated with higher body mass index, triglyceride level, ratio of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and 10-year Framingham risk score. The findings indicate that binge drinking may be associated with premature cardiovascular disease risk.

Triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and arterial stiffness in Japanese population: a secondary analysis based on a cross-sectional study

Background

Previous studies have revealed that triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (henceforth TG/HDL-C) is one of major risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, insulin resistance and metabolism syndrome. However, there are fewer scientific dissertations about the correlation between TG/HDL-C and bapWV. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between Triglyceride (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in Japanese.

Methods

The present study was a cross-sectional study. 912 Japanese men and women, aging 24−84 years old, received a health medical a health check-up program including the results from baPWV inspection and various standardized questionnaire in a health examination Center in Japan. Main outcome measures included TG/HDL-C ratio, baPWV, fatty liver, postmenopausal status. Abdominal ultrasonography was used to diagnose fatty liver. Postmenopausal state was defined as beginning 1 year after the cessation of menses. It was noted that the entire study was completed by Fukuda et al., and uploaded the data to the DATADRYAD website. The author only used this data for secondary analysis.

Results

After adjusting potential confounders (age, sex, BMI, SBP, DBP, AST, ALT, GGT, uric acid, fasting glucose, TC, LDL, eGFR, smoking and exercise status, fatty liver, alcohol consumption and ABI), non-linear relationship was detected between TG/HDL-C and baPWV, whose point was 5.6. The effect sizes and the confidence intervals on the left and right sides of inflection point were 12.7 (1.9 to 23.5) and − 16.7 (− 36.8 to 3.3), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed, in participants with excessive alcohol consumption (more than 280 g/week), that TG/HDL-C had a negative correlation with BAPWV (β = − 30.7, 95%CI (− 53.1, − 8.4)), and the P for interaction was less than 0.05,

Conclusion

The relationship between TG/HDL-C and baPWV is non-linear. TG/HDL-C was positively related with baPWV when TG/HDL-C is less than 5.6. In addition, while the trend is opposite in excessive alcoholic subjects.

Effects of smoking and alcohol consumption on lipid profile in male adults in northwest rural China

OBJECTIVES

To determine the individual and combined influences of smoking and alcohol consumption on lipid profile in male adults in northwest rural China.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

In total, 4614 subjects were enrolled in the cross-sectional study, performed between 2008 and 2012. The present study examined males aged ≥18 years from northwest rural China (n = 707). Data on current smoking and drinking status were collected. Logistic regression was used to estimate the individual and combined influences of smoking and alcohol consumption on lipid profile. Age, ethnic group, educational background, smoking (or alcohol consumption), waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose were adjusted as confounders.

RESULTS

Total cholesterol (TC)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, triglycerides (TG)/HDL-C ratio, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/HDL-C ratio and visceral adiposity index (VAI) were significantly higher in smokers than in non-smokers, whereas HDL-C was lower in smokers. TG/HDL-C ratio, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, TG, lipid accumulation product and VAI were significantly higher in drinkers than non-drinkers. After adjustment for confounders, significant relationships were observed between smoking status and any dyslipidemia, low HDL-C and high VAI (odds ratios [ORs]: 2.53 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.25-5.15], 6.13 [95% CI: 2.84-13.25] and 4.39 [95% CI: 2.02-9.54], respectively). The OR for any dyslipidaemia was 1.94 (95% CI: 1.09-3.48) for subjects who smoke and drank alcohol compared with subjects who did not smoke or drink alcohol.

CONCLUSIONS

Abnormalities in lipid profile are correlated with smoking and alcohol consumption, which calls for intervention strategies to prevent dyslipidaemia and control risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular Consequences of Binge Drinking: An Integrative Review with Implications for Advocacy, Policy, and Research

Worldwide, binge drinking is a major public health problem. The popularized health risks associated with binge drinking include physical injury and motor vehicle crashes; less attention has been given to the negative effects on the cardiovascular (CV) system. The primary aims of this review were to provide a summary of the adverse effects of binge drinking on the risk and development of CV disease and to review potential pathophysiologic mechanisms. Using specific inclusion criteria, an integrative review was conducted that included data from human experimental, prospective cross-sectional, and cohort epidemiological studies that examined the association between binge drinking and CV conditions such as hypertension (HTN), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and arrhythmias. Studies were identified that examined the relationship between binge drinking and CV outcomes. Collectively, findings support that binge drinking is associated with a higher risk of pre-HTN, HTN, MI, and stroke in middle-aged and older adults. Binge drinking may also have adverse CV effects in young adults (aged 18 to 30). Mechanisms remain incompletely understood; however, available evidence suggests that binge drinking may induce oxidative stress and vascular injury and be proatherogenic. Public health messages regarding binge drinking need to include the effects of binge drinking on the CV system.

Blood glucose and lipid concentrations after overload are not associated with the risk of alcohol relapse

AIMS

There is evidence for the functioning of feedback between alcohol consumption and fat (positive) and carbohydrate (negative) intake. We tried to verify the hypothesis that blood glucose and lipid concentration in a fasting state and after loading may affect the risk of relapse in alcohol-dependent male patients during withdrawal therapy.

METHODS

Blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were determined at the beginning of the study, and again after 4 weeks and 6 months of observation in 54 alcohol-dependent male patients treated against drinking relapse. Glucose concentration was checked after fasting and 2h after loading with a 75 g water solution of glucose, and blood lipids were determined on an empty stomach and 5h after butter loading (0.5 g of butter per kilogram of body mass).

RESULTS

Patients who relapsed compared to subjects who remained abstinent during the 6-month observation did not differ significantly in relation to blood glucose, TC or TG blood concentrations, either in a fasting state or after loading. Patients with an initial above-median increase in TG blood concentration after butter loading (>38%) before the beginning of the study, and who smoked cigarettes with a greater content of nicotine and tar, preferred vodka and had lower values of aminotransferases.

CONCLUSION

Fasting and postprandial blood glucose, TC and TG concentrations had no relationship with the outcome of anti-relapse treatment. However, they presented some associations with the pathomechanism of addiction to nicotine.

Dyslipidemia associated with heavy alcohol use

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Alcohol has many effects on lipid metabolism and has been associated with elevated triglycerides. The purpose of this paper is to report a case of globally dysregulated lipids secondary to alcohol use and to describe the natural history of this phenomenon after drinking cessation.

METHODS

We present a case of an otherwise healthy patient (N = 1) who was admitted to our facility for alcohol detoxification and found to have extreme lipid dysregulation. He was treated with benzodiazepines for alcohol withdrawal but no hypolipidemic agents were given.

RESULTS

Lipid indices self-corrected and were found to be normal following just several weeks of sobriety in the absence of treatment with any hypolipidemic agents.

DISCUSSION

The literature regarding the effects of alcohol on lipid metabolism is briefly reviewed followed by a discussion of how these findings might apply to this patient in particular as well as implications for broader clinical practice.

CONCLUSION AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE

Alcohol has the ability to dysregulate several lipid indices in addition to elevating triglycerides. The rapid resolution of dyslipidemia suggests that additional treatment may not be necessary for patients who are able to abstain from alcohol but that hypolipidemic agents may be indicated for those patients who continue to drink. Additionally, clinicians should consider checking lipid panels in patients who present with alcohol intoxication and are found to have other laboratory abnormalites or those who have risk factors for hyperlipidemia.

Relationship between Alcohol Consumption and Components of the Metabolic Syndrome in Adult Population from Maracaibo City, Venezuela

Introduction. Although the relationships between alcohol and disorders such as cancer and liver disease have been thoroughly researched, its effects on cardiometabolic health remain controversial. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the association between alcohol consumption, the Metabolic Syndrome (MS), and its components in our locality. Materials and Methods. Descriptive, cross-sectional study with randomized, multistaged sampling, which included 2,230 subjects of both genders. Two previously determined population-specific alcohol consumption pattern classifications were utilized in each gender: daily intake quartiles and conglomerates yielded by cluster analysis. MS was defined according to the 2009 consensus criteria. Association was evaluated through various multiple logistic regression models. Results. In univariate analysis (daily intake quartiles), only hypertriacylglyceridemia was associated with alcohol consumption in both genders. In multivariate analysis, daily alcohol intake ≤3.8 g/day was associated with lower risk of hypertriacylglyceridemia in females (OR = 0.29, CI 95%: 0.09–0.86; p = 0.03). Among men, subjects consuming 28.41–47.33 g/day had significantly increased risk of MS, hyperglycemia, high blood pressure, hypertriacylglyceridemia, and elevated waist circumference. Conclusions. The relationship between drinking, MS, and its components is complex and not directly proportional. Categorization by daily alcohol intake quartiles appears to be the most efficient method for quantitative assessment of alcohol consumption in our region.