Ethanol intake, plasma catecholamine levels, and ST-segment changes without myocardial injury in rats with short-term ethanol consumption

Induction of the expression of cardioprotective proteins after mild-to-moderate consumption of alcohol

A growing body of evidence supports the notion that mild-to-moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a reduced incidence of mortality and morbidity from coronary heart disease. While the cardioprotective effects of wine have been attributed to the polyphenolic antioxidants present in the wines, the mechanism(s) of cardioprotection afforded by alcohol consumption remain speculative. The present study demonstrates an induction of the expression of several cardioprotective proteins in the rat hearts after 3 weeks of low dose of alcohol consumption. These cardioprotective proteins include heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Alcohol consumption also improved post-ischemic ventricular function and reduced myocardial infarct size and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The results of the present study suggest a role of these cardioprotective proteins in alcohol-mediated cardioprotection.