[The effect of chronic alcohol abuse on the lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins concentrations in the sera].

UNLABELLED

Alcohol abuse causes changes in the lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins concentrations in the blood, which may be related to the risk of the development of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of alcohol abuse on the serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, high and low density lipoproteins, apolipoproteins AI and B, and lipoprotein (a), and to asses the risk of exposure to the cardiovascular diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was carried out in 118 alcohol dependent patients, who were divided into the 7 subgroups according to various criteria: the amounts of weekly alcohol intake, the time of abstinence and the period of last drinking; and in 27 social drinkers men.

RESULTS

In alcohol abuse patients, the levels of apo AI and HDL-Ch are increased, but of apo B, LDL-Ch and Lp(a)--decreased. The analysis of lipid markers according to the history of alcohol abuse showed that the levels of HDL-Ch and LDL-Ch were dependent on the amounts of weekly alcohol intake and the time of abstinence, while the apo AI, apo B and Lp(a) on the time of abstinence. The concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides did not significantly change.

CONCLUSION

In alcohol abuse patients the concentrations of some lipid markers are changed. These alterations depend on the amounts of weekly alcohol intake, the time of abstinence and the period of last drinking. The concentrations of antiatherogenic markers are increased, but the atherogenic--decreased. The changes in the lipid markers of cardiovascular diseases risk, should not be treated as an explicity favourable, in alcohol abuse patients.