Alcohol misuse increases serum antibodies to oxidized LDL and C-reactive protein.

AIMS

To clarify the relationship of alcohol consumption with serum antibodies to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and the inflammation marker C-reactive protein (CRP).

METHODS

The study population consisted of 280 men with evidence of alcohol misuse by having self-reported alcohol consumption values over 280 g absolute ethanol per week and 250 age-matched moderate drinkers from a population of Finnish men participating in the FINRISK survey study. Serum samples were analysed for antibodies to oxLDL, C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). The characteristics of the top and bottom half of the alcohol misusers, in regard to weekly alcohol consumption, were compared with the controls.

RESULTS

Serum antibody titres to oxLDL were higher in the top half and the levels of CRP, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, GGT and CDT were elevated in both the top half and the bottom half of the alcohol misusers, compared to controls.

CONCLUSION

We propose that alcohol misuse may result in increased inflammation leading to oxidation of LDL.