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Relationship of alcohol consumption to changes in HDL-subfractions

P Sillanaukee1, T Koivula, H Jokela

  • 1Biomedical Research Centre, Alko Ltd, Helsinki, Finland.

European Journal of Clinical Investigation
|August 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Moderate alcohol intake may protect against coronary artery disease (CAD) by increasing HDL3 cholesterol. This study found moderate and heavy drinking increased HDL3, but not HDL2, suggesting HDL3 plays a role in CAD prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nutritional Epidemiology
  • Clinical Biochemistry

Background:

  • Epidemiological studies suggest moderate alcohol consumption offers a protective effect against coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • This effect is often attributed to increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol).
  • The specific impact of alcohol on HDL subfractions (HDL2 and HDL3) remains less clear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) status across different alcohol consumption groups.
  • To investigate the differential effects of alcohol intake on HDL2 and HDL3 subfractions.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based survey comparing serum total HDL-cholesterol, HDL2, and HDL3 levels.
  • Subjects included middle-aged men from voluntary health screenings (teetotallers, moderate drinkers, heavy drinkers) and male alcoholics.
  • Blind comparison of lipid profiles based on categorized alcohol consumption.

Main Results:

  • Alcohol consumption significantly correlated with total HDL-cholesterol, HDL2, and HDL3 in the overall group, but this correlation weakened when alcoholics were excluded.
  • Alcoholics exhibited significantly higher total HDL-cholesterol, HDL2, and HDL3 compared to teetotallers.
  • Moderate or heavy alcohol intake did not affect HDL2 but significantly increased the HDL3 subfraction.

Conclusions:

  • The potential cardioprotective effect of moderate alcohol consumption may not be solely mediated by changes in the HDL2 subfraction.
  • The observed increase in the HDL3 subfraction concentration suggests it may play a role in the protective effects against coronary artery disease.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific mechanisms and clinical significance of HDL3 changes in relation to alcohol consumption and CAD.

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