Effect of alcohol intake on human apolipoprotein A-I-containing lipoprotein subfractions.

High-density lipoprotein comprises two main types of lipoprotein particles: (1) those that contain apolipoproteins A-I and A-II, designated LpA-I:A-II, and (2) those that contain apolipoprotein A-I but not apolipoprotein A-II, designated LpA-I. Both have been extensively studied and are believed to represent distinct metabolic entities that may confer differing protection against coronary artery disease risk. We have previously suggested that LpA-I might represent the antiatherogenic effect, which has been ascribed mainly to its effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; we set out to investigate, in 344 men, the relation between LpA-I:A-II and LpA-I levels and alcohol consumption. As the alcohol intake rose, LpA-I:A-II levels increased, while LpA-I levels fell. On the assumption that LpA-I is the antiatherogenic fraction of high-density lipoprotein, the putative protective action of alcohol consumption against coronary artery disease should be reconsidered.