Influence of daily alcohol consumption on serum adiponectin levels in men

The risk of cardiovascular diseases is lower among moderate alcohol drinkers than among both nondrinkers and heavy drinkers. However, factors that can account for the U-shaped or J-shaped relationship between daily alcohol consumption and incident cardiovascular diseases remain obscure.

The present cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between alcohol consumption and serum adiponectin levels.

Total adiponectin was measured in 527 males participating in health check-up programs (age range 40-86 years, mean 60.5 years). Based on questionnaire responses, alcohol intake was categorized into three groups: none or occasional (A1); <50 g/day and ≥3 days/week (A2); and ≥50 g/day and ≥3 days/week (A3).

No significant differences in adiponectin levels were observed among the three alcohol consumption groups of subjects without the metabolic syndrome (MetS). In subjects with the MetS, the adiponectin level was significantly higher in the A2 (moderate drinker) group than in both the A1 and A3 groups. MetS subjects in group A2 had higher HDL-C levels than those in A1, but levels in group A3 were not significantly different from those in group A2.

An increased adiponectin level in moderate alcohol drinkers who have MetS may contribute to the U-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of cardiovascular events, in addition to the involvement of HDL-C.