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Alcohol consumption stimulates early steps in reverse cholesterol transport
M S van der Gaag1, A van Tol, S H Vermunt
1TNO Nutrition and Food Research, Department of Nutritional Physiology, P.O. Box 360, 3700 AJ Zeist, The Netherlands.
Journal of Lipid Research
|December 6, 2001
Summary
Alcohol consumption boosts cholesterol removal from the body by enhancing cellular cholesterol efflux and plasma cholesterol esterification. These positive effects on reverse cholesterol transport were observed across different alcoholic beverages.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Metabolic Pathways
- Lipid Metabolism
Background:
- Alcohol consumption is linked to higher HDL cholesterol, suggesting improved reverse cholesterol transport.
- The precise mechanisms by which alcohol influences reverse cholesterol transport remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alcohol's impact on cellular cholesterol efflux and plasma cholesterol esterification.
- To determine if the type of alcoholic beverage affects these processes.
Main Methods:
- A 4x4 Latin square design study involving 11 healthy men.
- Participants consumed red wine, beer, spirits, or mineral water (control) daily for 3 weeks.
- Assessed plasma ex vivo cholesterol efflux capacity and plasma cholesterol esterification rates.
Main Results:
- Alcohol consumption significantly increased plasma cholesterol efflux capacity by 6.2% (P < 0.0001).
- Plasma cholesterol esterification rose by 10.8% (P = 0.008), with significant increases noted for beer and spirits.
- HDL lipids and apolipoprotein A-I levels were elevated post-alcohol consumption (P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Alcohol intake stimulates key steps in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway.
- These beneficial effects on cholesterol metabolism appear largely independent of the specific type of alcoholic beverage consumed.