Effect of Ethanol Dose on Low density Lipoproteins and High Density Lipoprotein Subfractions

Abstract

Male squirrel monkeys were fed increasing caloric percentages (0, 12, 24, and 36%) of ethanol (ETOH) substituted isocalorically for carbohydrate as part of a chemically defined liquid diet to assess how alcohol dose modifies plasma lipoproteins and liver function. A separate group of primates was used to define the dose at which elevations in plasma apolipoprotein B first occurred and to measure plasma alcohol levels. ETOH caused a dose-related, linear increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol which was primarily the result of increments in coronary protective HDL2 cholesterol. HDL2 total mass (lipid + protein) followed the pattern of HDL2 cholesterol. Animals fed the 12% regimen had plasma ETOH levels of approximately 49 mg/dl, the lowest low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and the highest HDL2/HDL3 cholesterol ratio. Significant elevations in apolipoprotein B first appeared at 18% ETOH while higher doses (24 and 36%) caused increases in LDL cholesterol and HDL3, reduced HDL2/HDL3 ratios, and plasma alcohol levels of 142 and 202 mg/dl, respectively. Liver function tests were normal for all animals. Our results indicate that while a moderate ETOH caloric intake (12%) produces an antiatherogenic lipoprotein profile (decreases LDL/HDL, increases HDL2/HDL3), any coronary protection afforded by continued increases in HDL2 at higher doses may be attenuated by concurrent atherogenic alterations (increases LDL cholesterol, increases apolipoprotein B).

Low ethanol consumption induces enhancement of insulin sensitivity in liver of normal rats

“…Low-to-moderate ethanol (EtOH) consumption has been reported to decrease blood pressure, platelet aggregation, fibrinogen, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, and to increase HDL cholesterol (Bell et al, 2000;Brunner et al, 1996;Doll et al, 1994;Hojnacki et al, 1988;Meade et al, 1979;Mukamal et al, 2001;Nanchahal et al, 2000;Pellegrini et al, 1996;Soleas et al, 1997;Vliegenthart et al, 2002). Interestingly, these parameters affected by ethanol overlap with several components involved in Insulin Resistance Syndrome (Bjorntorp, 1992;Reaven, 1988Reaven, , 1993.…”