Cardiovascular responses and differential changes in mitogen-activated protein kinases following repeated episodes of binge drinking

Non-Invasive microRNA Profiling in Saliva can Serve as a Biomarker of Alcohol Exposure and Its Effects in Humans

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is one of the most prevalent mental disorders worldwide. Considering the widespread occurrence of AUD, a reliable, cheap, non-invasive biomarker of alcohol consumption is desired by healthcare providers, clinicians, researchers, public health and criminal justice officials. microRNAs could serve as such biomarkers. They are easily detectable in saliva, which can be sampled from individuals in a non-invasive manner. Moreover, microRNAs expression is dynamically regulated by environmental factors, including alcohol. Since excessive alcohol consumption is a hallmark of alcohol abuse, we have profiled microRNA expression in the saliva of chronic, heavy alcohol abusers using microRNA microarrays. We observed significant changes in salivary microRNA expression caused by excessive alcohol consumption. These changes fell into three categories: downregulated microRNAs, upregulated microRNAs, and microRNAs upregulated de novo. Analysis of these combinatorial changes in microRNA expression suggests dysregulation of specific biological pathways leading to impairment of the immune system and development of several types of epithelial cancer. Moreover, some of the altered microRNAs are also modulators of inflammation, suggesting their contribution to pro-inflammatory mechanisms of alcohol actions. Establishment of the cellular source of microRNAs in saliva corroborated these results. We determined that most of the microRNAs in saliva come from two types of cells: leukocytes involved in immune responses and inflammation, and buccal cells, involved in development of epithelial, oral cancers. In summary, we propose that microRNA profiling in saliva can be a useful, non-invasive biomarker allowing the monitoring of alcohol abuse, as well as alcohol-related inflammation and early detection of cancer.

Association Between Alcoholic Cirrhosis and Hemorrhagic Stroke: A Nationwide Population-based Study

AIMS

This study investigated whether patients with alcoholic cirrhosis have a high risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

METHODS

In this study, 17,094 patients diagnosed with cirrhosis between 2000 and 2010 were identified using the Taiwan National Health Insurance claims data. Identified patients were randomly selected and propensity score matched with individuals without cirrhosis according to age, sex, comorbidities and index year.

RESULTS

The overall incidence rate of stroke was 4.41 and 12.1 per 1000 person-years in the chronic liver disease and cirrhosis (CLDC) with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) cohort and the alcoholic CLDC cohort, respectively. The alcoholic CLDC cohort exhibited a 4.53-fold higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke (adjusted subhazard ratio [aSHR] = 4.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.05-6.71) than did the non-CLDC cohort, and the CLDC with HBV or HCV cohort exhibited a 1.40-fold higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke (aSHR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.10-1.78) than did the non-CLDC cohort. The alcoholic CLDC cohort and the CLDC with HBV or HCV cohort showed an aSHR of 1.80 (95% CI = 1.36-2.40) and 0.95 (95% CI = 0.83-1.07) for ischemic stroke, respectively, compared with the non-CLDC cohort.

CONCLUSION

Alcoholic patients with CLDC had a higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke compared with non-alcoholic patients with CLDC and patients without CLDC.

Binge Drinking's Effects on the Body

Studies have focused on the effects of chronic alcohol consumption and the mechanisms of tissue injury underlying alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, with less focus on the pathophysiological consequences of binge alcohol consumption. Alcohol binge drinking prevalence continues to rise, particularly among individuals ages 18 to 24. However, it is also frequent in individuals ages 65 and older. High blood alcohol levels achieved with this pattern of alcohol consumption are of particular concern, as alcohol can permeate to virtually all tissues in the body, resulting in significant alterations in organ function, which leads to multisystemic pathophysiological consequences. In addition to the pattern, amount, and frequency of alcohol consumption, additional factors, including the type of alcoholic beverage, may contribute differentially to the risk for alcohol-induced tissue injury. Preclinical and translational research strategies are needed to enhance our understanding of the effects of binge alcohol drinking, particularly for individuals with a history of chronic alcohol consumption. Identification of underlying pathophysiological processes responsible for tissue and organ injury can lead to development of preventive or therapeutic interventions to reduce the health care burden associated with binge alcohol drinking.

Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy: Disrupted Protein Balance and Impaired Cardiomyocyte Contractility

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) can develop after consumption of relatively large amounts of alcohol over time or from acute binge drinking. Of the many factors implicated in the etiology of ACM, chronic perturbation in protein balance has been strongly implicated. This review focused on recent contributions (since 2010) in the area of protein metabolism and cardiac function related to ACM. Data reviewed include that from in vitro and preclinical in vivo animal studies where alcohol or an oxidative metabolite was studied and outcome measures in either cardiomyocytes or whole heart pertaining to protein synthesis or degradation were reported. Additionally, studies on the contractile properties of cardiomyocytes were also included to link signal transduction with function. Methodological differences including the potential impact of sex, dosing, and duration/timing of alcohol administration are addressed. Acute and chronic alcohol consumption decreases cardiac protein synthesis and/or activation of proteins within the regulatory mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin complex pathway. Albeit limited, evidence suggests that myocardial protein degradation via the ubiquitin pathway is not altered, while autophagy may be enhanced in ACM. Alcohol impairs ex vivo cardiomyocyte contractility in relation to its metabolism and expression of proteins within the growth factor pathway. Dysregulation of protein metabolism, including the rate of protein synthesis and autophagy, may contribute to contractile deficits and is a hallmark feature of ACM meriting additional sex-inclusive, methodologically consistent studies.

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.

The Effect of Reference Group Classification and Change in Alcohol Consumption on the Association Between Alcohol Consumption and Cardiovascular Disease

BACKGROUND

Many studies suggest that mild alcohol consumption can help avert cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study investigated the association between alcohol consumption and CVD incidence, and assessed whether this differed by reference group classification. As alcohol consumption amounts may change over time, the results of simple and time-dependent analyses were compared.

METHODS

Data were from a community-based cohort study on 40- to 69-year-old Koreans recruited in 2001 to 2002. A total of 8,330 participants were followed up for 10 years and classed as nondrinkers (0 g/d), drinker group 1 (<15 g/d), and drinker group 2 (≥15 g/d). The risk of CVD, including myocardial infarction and coronary artery disease, was compared among groups using simple and time-dependent Cox analysis. Occasional drinkers (<2.5 g/d), nondrinkers, and lifetime abstainers were used as comparison reference groups.

RESULTS

Simple Cox analysis indicated that drinker group 1 exhibited a significantly lower risk of myocardial infarction (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.44, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21, 0.92) and coronary artery disease (HR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.4, 0.94) than nondrinkers. Time-dependent analysis based on alcohol consumption change showed that the beneficial effects of drinker group 1 were significant only for myocardial infarction, not for coronary artery disease. The benefits did not change significantly when either nondrinkers or lifetime abstainers were the reference group. However, when occasional drinkers were included in the reference group, the benefits of drinker group 1 were not significant for myocardial infarction (HR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.29, 1.45) or coronary artery disease (HR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.42, 1.19). Occasional drinkers and drinkers had more similar sociodemographic characteristics than did nondrinkers and drinkers.

CONCLUSIONS

Further studies on alcohol consumption and its effects on health must use repeated measurement to define drinking status, as simple and time-dependent analyses can show different alcohol consumption risks. These findings do not indicate a beneficial effect of drinking <15 g/d when occasional drinkers and nondrinkers are included in the reference group.

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy: pathophysiologic insights

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a specific heart muscle disease found in individuals with a history of long-term heavy alcohol consumption. ACM is associated with a number of adverse histological, cellular, and structural changes within the myocardium. Several mechanisms are implicated in mediating the adverse effects of ethanol, including the generation of oxidative stress, apoptotic cell death, impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics/stress, derangements in fatty acid metabolism and transport, and accelerated protein catabolism. In this review, we discuss the evidence for such mechanisms and present the potential importance of drinking patterns, genetic susceptibility, nutritional factors, race, and sex. The purpose of this review is to provide a mechanistic paradigm for future research in the area of ACM.

Carvedilol has stronger anti-inflammation and anti-virus effects than metoprolol in murine model with coxsackievirus B3-induced viral myocarditis

AIMS

This study aims to compare the effects of carvedilol and metoprolol in alleviating viral myocarditis (VMC) induced by coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) in mice.

METHODS

A total of 116 Balb/c mice were included in this study. Ninety-six mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with CVB3 to induce VMC. The CVB3 inoculated mice were evenly divided into myocarditis group (n=32), carvedilol group (n=32) and metoprolol group (n=32). Twenty mice (control group) were inoculated intraperitoneally with normal saline. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and histopathologic scoring were used to investigate the effects of carvedilol and metoprolol on myocardial histopathologic changes on days 3 and 5. In addition, serum cTn-I levels, cytokine levels and virus titers were determined using chemiluminescence immunoassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and plaque assay, respectively, on days 3 and 5. Finally, the levels of phosphorylated p38MAPK were studied using immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting on day 5.

RESULTS

Carvedilol had a stronger effect than metoprolol in reducing the pathological scores of VMC induced by CVB3. Both carvedilol and metoprolol reduced the levels of cTn-I, but the effect of carvedilol was stronger. Carvedilol and metoprolol decreased the levels of myocardial pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine, with the effects of carvedilol being stronger than those of metoprolol. Carvedilol had a stronger effect in reducing myocardial virus concentration compared with metoprolol. Carvedilol was stronger than metoprolol in decreasing the levels of myocardial phosphorylated p38MAPK.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, carvedilol was more potent than metoprolol in ameliorating myocardial lesions in VMC, probably due to its stronger modulation of the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the activation of p38MAPK pathway through β1- and β2-adrenoreceptors.

Cannabidiol protects liver from binge alcohol-induced steatosis by mechanisms including inhibition of oxidative stress and increase in autophagy

Acute alcohol drinking induces steatosis, and effective prevention of steatosis can protect liver from progressive damage caused by alcohol. Increased oxidative stress has been reported as one mechanism underlying alcohol-induced steatosis. We evaluated whether cannabidiol, which has been reported to function as an antioxidant, can protect the liver from alcohol-generated oxidative stress-induced steatosis. Cannabidiol can prevent acute alcohol-induced liver steatosis in mice, possibly by preventing the increase in oxidative stress and the activation of the JNK MAPK pathway. Cannabidiol per se can increase autophagy both in CYP2E1-expressing HepG2 cells and in mouse liver. Importantly, cannabidiol can prevent the decrease in autophagy induced by alcohol. In conclusion, these results show that cannabidiol protects mouse liver from acute alcohol-induced steatosis through multiple mechanisms including attenuation of alcohol-mediated oxidative stress, prevention of JNK MAPK activation, and increasing autophagy.

Long term intake of 0.1% ethanol decreases serum adiponectin by suppressing PPARγ expression via p38 MAPK pathway

Light alcohol consumption was reported to be negatively associated with insulin resistance and risk of cardiovascular diseases; however, the results were inconsistent. We here investigate whether long term intake of low-concentration ethanol can affect adiponectin levels. Male Wistar rats were exposed to 0.1% ethanol in drinking water for 26weeks. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was cultured and treated with ethanol, SB203580, GW9662, or rosiglitazone. Adiponectin in serum and culture supernatant were measured by ELISA, mRNA levels of adiponectin and PPARγ were determined by RT-PCR, and protein expressions of PPARγ, p38 MAPK and phospho-p38 MAPK were determined by Western blot. In vivo, ethanol decreased the mRNA of adiponectin in VAT and serum adiponectin significantly. Decreased PPARγ and increased activation of p38 MAPK were observed in ethanol treated group. In vitro, SB203580 increased the adiponectin and PPARγ levels in normal DMEM cultured VAT and ameliorated ethanol-induced decrease of adiponectin and PPARγ expressions. GW9662 also decreased the adiponectin levels; Both ethanol and GW9662 weakened the rosiglitazone-induced elevation of adiponectin levels in cultured VAT. These data suggest that long term intake of 0.1% ethanol down-regulated adiponectin levels, and the regulation of PPARγ via p38 MAPK pathway plays an important role in the mechanism underneath.