Increased LDL+VLDL oxidizability and plasma homocysteine levels in chronic alcoholic patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of heavy alcohol consumption on peroxidation status in apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins (LDL+VLDL) and plasma as well as plasma homocysteine (HC) levels in patients with chronic alcoholism who drank raki, a national Turkish beverage. For this reason, endogenous diene conjugate (DC) and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels and lag phase, maximum DC formation and propagation rate following copper induction were measured in apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins (LDL+VLDL) isolated by precipitation with dextrane sulfate and MgCl2 from plasma. In addition, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), DC, HC, folate and vitamin B12 levels as well as paraoxonase activity were determined. Serum MDA and DC levels were higher in heavy raki drinkers compared to control subjects. Significant increases in endogenous DC and LOOH levels in LDL+VLDL together with shortened lag phase were also observed in patients. In addition, HDL-cholesterol, HC and vitamin B12 levels and HDL-associated paraoxonase activity were found to be higher, but folate levels to be lower in serum of heavy raki consumers. In conclusion, our results indicate that increases in LDL+VLDL oxidizability and plasma HC levels may enhance the susceptibility to vascular diseases in heavy raki drinkers.