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Chronic alcohol consumption increases serum levels of circulating endothelial cell/leucocyte adhesion molecules
E Sacanella1, R Estruch, E Badía
1Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Agustí Pi Sunyer, University of Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
A group of 30 chronic alcoholics without alcohol-related diseases and 30 controls (teetotallers) were selected to measure serum levels of endothelial adhesion molecules (AMs) (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin). ICAM-1 and E-selectin serum levels were higher in alcoholics, whereas VCAM-1 serum levels were similar in both groups. There was a significant correlation between daily alcohol intake and serum level of ICAM-1 (r = 0.49, P = 0.003) and E-selectin (r = 0.41, P = 0.02). A significant positive correlation between E-selectin and total lifetime dose of ethanol was also observed (r = 0.52, P = 0.003). These changes in serum levels of endothelial AMs of chronic alcoholics may reflect endothelial and/or immune activation, and could interfere with the reactions between immune cells and the endothelium.