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Moderate beer consumption and the blood coagulation in patients with coronary artery disease
S Gorinstein1, M Zemser, I Lichman
1School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
Insights
Moderate beer consumption significantly reduced thrombogenic activity in coronary artery disease patients. This effect was primarily observed through decreases in Factor VII coagulant activity and antigen levels.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) poses a significant global health challenge.
- Thrombolytic activity plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of CAD.
- Understanding modifiable lifestyle factors, such as moderate alcohol consumption, is vital for managing CAD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of short-term, moderate beer consumption on thrombolytic activity in patients with established CAD.
- To assess specific markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis following a controlled beer intake intervention.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 28 patients with two- or three-vessel CAD.
- An experimental group (n=22) consumed 330 mL of beer daily (20g alcohol) for 30 days, alongside their usual diet.
- A control group (n=6) abstained from alcohol. Laboratory tests were conducted before and after the intervention.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant reduction in Factor VII coagulant activity (F VIIc) and Factor VII antigen (F VIIag) levels was observed in the beer-consuming group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively).
- A less pronounced decrease in plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) levels was also noted.
- Fibrinogen and prothrombin time (PT) remained unchanged in the experimental group.
Conclusions:
- Short-term, moderate beer consumption can effectively decrease thrombogenic activity in CAD patients.
- Factor VII parameters (F VIIc and F VIIag) appear to be sensitive indicators of this effect.
- The observed reduction in thrombogenicity may contribute to the decreased mortality rates associated with moderate alcohol consumption in individuals with CAD.
Objectives:
To evaluate the influence of a short period of moderate beer consumption on the status of the thrombolitic activity in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
Subjects And Design:
From 28 patients with two- or three-vessel CAD 22 were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) and six to control group (CG). Before and after completion of the study every one of the 28 patients was examined and a wide range of laboratory tests was performed.
Setting:
A University Hospital in Israel.
Intervention:
Of the EG, 22 patients consumed 330 mL of beer day-1 (20 g of alcohol) for the 30-day period in addition to the usual antiatherosclerotic diet. Patients of the CG did not consume alcohol beverages.
Main Outcome Measures:
Fibrinogen, prothrombin time (PT), coagulant activity of Factor VII (F VIIc) and Factor VII antigen (F VIIag), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) levels were studied.
Results:
After the investigation a statistically significant decrease was found in F VIIc (P < 0.01) and F VIIag (P < 0.001) and to a lesser extent a decrease in the value of PAI. Fibrinogen and PT remained unchanged in the EG also.
Conclusions:
Even a short period of moderate beer consumption results in a decrease in thrombogenic activity. The only sensitive tests were F VIIc and F VIIag. The decrease in thrombogenic activity may be the main cause of decreased mortality in patients with CAD who consume moderate quantities of alcoholic beverages.