Alcohol Consumption and Coronary Calcification in a General Population

Alcohol consumption and subclinical and clinical coronary heart disease: A Mendelian randomization analysis

AIMS

The potential effect of alcohol consumption on coronary heart disease (CHD) remains unclear. We used the variant rs671 in the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 gene (ALDH2) as an instrument to investigate the causal role of alcohol intake in subclinical and clinical CHD.

METHODS

We conducted two Mendelian randomization studies: a cross-sectional study of coronary artery calcification (CAC) on computed tomography of 1029 healthy men (mean age, 63.8 years) and a case-control study of 421 men with CHD (acute coronary syndrome [ACS] or stable angina pectoris) who underwent coronary revascularization and 842 age-matched male controls.

RESULTS

In the CAC study, medians (25%tiles, 75%tiles) of alcohol consumption by ALDH2-rs671 *2 homozygotes (n = 86 [8.4%]), *1*2 heterozygotes (n = 397 [38.5%]), and *1 homozygotes (n = 546 [53.1%]) were 0.0 (0.0, 0.0), 28.0 (0.0, 129.0), and 224.0 (84.0, 350.0) g/week, respectively. In age-adjusted Poisson regression with robust error variance, compared with *2 homozygotes, relative risks for prevalent CAC score >0, ≥100, and ≥300 in *1 homozygotes were 1.29 (95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.57), 1.76 (1.05-2.96), and 1.81 (0.80-4.09), respectively. In age-adjusted ordinal logistic regression for CAC distributions, we observed higher odds among *1 homozygotes (odds ratio, 2.19 [1.39-3.46]) and even among *1*2 heterozygotes (1.77 [1.11-2.82]) compared with *2 homozygotes. In the case-control study, conditional logistic regression revealed lower prevalence of *1 homozygotes among men with CHD (odds ratio, 0.54 [0.35-0.82]), especially ACS (0.46 [0.27-0.77]), than controls.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate a positive association of alcohol consumption with CAC burden but an inverse association with clinical CHD, especially ACS.

Ten things to know about ten imaging studies: A preventive cardiology perspective ("ASPC top ten imaging")

Knowing the patient's current cardiovascular disease (CVD) status, as well as the patient's current and future CVD risk, helps the clinician make more informed patient-centered management recommendations towards the goal of preventing future CVD events. Imaging tests that can assist the clinician with the diagnosis and prognosis of CVD include imaging studies of the heart and vascular system, as well as imaging studies of other body organs applicable to CVD risk. The American Society for Preventive Cardiology (ASPC) has published "Ten Things to Know About Ten Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors." Similarly, this "ASPC Top Ten Imaging" summarizes ten things to know about ten imaging studies related to assessing CVD and CVD risk, listed in tabular form. The ten imaging studies herein include: (1) coronary artery calcium imaging (CAC), (2) coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), (3) cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography), (4) nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), (5) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), (6) cardiac catheterization [with or without intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or coronary optical coherence tomography (OCT)], (7) dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) body composition, (8) hepatic imaging [ultrasound of liver, vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE), CT, MRI proton density fat fraction (PDFF), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS)], (9) peripheral artery / endothelial function imaging (e.g., carotid ultrasound, peripheral doppler imaging, ultrasound flow-mediated dilation, other tests of endothelial function and peripheral vascular imaging) and (10) images of other body organs applicable to preventive cardiology (brain, kidney, ovary). Many cardiologists perform cardiovascular-related imaging. Many non-cardiologists perform applicable non-cardiovascular imaging. Cardiologists and non-cardiologists alike may benefit from a working knowledge of imaging studies applicable to the diagnosis and prognosis of CVD and CVD risk - both important in preventive cardiology.

Alcohol-related cirrhosis is associated with high coronary artery calcium scores in patients undergoing evaluation for orthotopic liver transplantation

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Coronary artery disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in liver transplant patients. Coronary artery calcium (CAC) score has been used to evaluate the risk of CAD in non-cirrhotic patients. However, its significance in cirrhotic patients is unknown. This study aimed to identify factors associated with elevated CAC scores in patients with end-stage liver disease undergoing liver transplant evaluation.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent liver transplantation evaluation and had coronary CT scan between January 2015 and December 2018. Patients with prior history of CAD were excluded. CAC score was calculated based on the method described by Agatston.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients were included. 37.1% had alcohol-related liver disease and 27.4% had NASH cirrhosis. Mean CAC score was 261.1 ± SD, 463.84. Alcohol-related liver disease, male gender, and hypertension were significantly associated with CAC score >100 and only alcohol-related liver disease was associated with CAC score >300. In logistic regression, patients with alcohol-related liver disease had more than sixfold increase in risk of having CAC scores >100 and 300 (OR 6.14, and 6.70, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Alcohol-related liver disease, male gender, and hypertension were significantly associated with an increased CAC score >100. However, alcohol-related liver disease was the only factor associated with CAC score >300.

Is Drinking Alcohol Really Linked to Cardiovascular Health? Evidence from the Kardiovize 2030 Project

Existing data have described benefits and drawbacks of alcohol consumption on cardiovascular diseases (CVD), but no research has evaluated its association with the cardiovascular health (CVH) score proposed by the American Heart Association. Here, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis on the Kardiovize cohort (Brno, Czech Republic), to investigate the relationship between alcohol consumption and CVH. We included 1773 subjects (aged 25–64 years; 44.2% men) with no history of CVD. We compared CVD risk factors, CVH metrics (i.e., BMI, healthy diet, physical activity level, smoking status, blood pressure, fasting glucose, and total cholesterol) and CVH score between and within several drinking categories. We found that the relationship between drinking habits and CVH was related to the amount of alcohol consumed, drinking patterns, and beverage choices. Heavy drinkers were more likely to smoke tobacco, and to report diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol at higher level than non-drinkers. Among drinkers, however, people who exclusively drank wine exhibited better CVH than those who exclusively drank beer. Although our findings supported the hypothesis that drinking alcohol was related to the CVH in general, further prospective research is needed to understand whether the assessment of CVH should incorporate information on alcohol consumption.

Serum Calcification Propensity and the Risk of Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality in the General Population: The PREVEND Study

OBJECTIVE

Vascular calcification contributes to the cause of cardiovascular disease. The calciprotein particle maturation time (T₅₀) in serum, a measure of calcification propensity, has been linked with adverse outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease, but its role in the general population is unclear. We investigated whether serum T₅₀ is associated with cardiovascular mortality in a large general population-based cohort. Approach and Results: The relationship between serum T₅₀ and cardiovascular mortality was studied in 6231 participants of the PREVEND (Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease) cohort. All-cause mortality was the secondary outcome. Mean (±SD) age was 53±12 years, 50% were male, and mean serum T₅₀ was 329±58 minutes. A shorter serum T₅₀ is indicative of a higher calcification propensity. Serum T₅₀ was inversely associated with circulating phosphate, age, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and alcohol consumption, whereas plasma magnesium was positively associated with serum T₅₀ (P<0.001, total multivariable model R²=0.281). During median (interquartile range) follow-up for 8.3 (7.8-8.9) years, 364 patients died (5.8%), of whom 95 (26.1%) died from a cardiovascular cause. In multivariable Cox proportional hazard models, each 60 minutes decrease in serum T₅₀ was independently associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality (fully adjusted hazard ratio [95% CI], 1.22 [1.04-1.36], P=0.021). This association was modified by diabetes mellitus; stratified analysis indicated a more pronounced association in individuals with diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSIONS

Serum T₅₀ is independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in the general population and thus may be an early and potentially modifiable risk marker for cardiovascular mortality.

Alcohol consumption and subclinical atherosclerosis among South Asians: Findings from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) study

BACKGROUND

South Asians are the second fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, and they have a high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with lower CVD risk in some race/ethnic groups, but the association of alcohol consumption and atherosclerosis in South Asians has not been investigated.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We used data from 906 South Asian participants who participated in the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) cohort (2010-2012). Alcohol consumption was ascertained via questionnaire, coronary artery calcium (CAC) was measured with computed tomography, and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) was measured using B-mode ultrasonography. We used multivariable regression models to examine cross-sectional associations of alcohol consumption with the presence and amount of CAC and cIMT. Compared with never drinkers, participants consuming 4-7 drinks/week had a 63% decreased odds of any CAC after adjusting for potential confounders and mediators. Participants consuming 4-7 drinks/week had significantly lower odds of CAC score between 1 and 300 [OR (95% CI): 0.34 (0.16-0.72)]. A similar inverse association was seen for the odds of CAC>300 [OR (95% CI): 0.28 (0.07-0.97)]. Alcohol consumption of >7 drinks/week was associated with a 0.096 mm increase in common-cIMT.

CONCLUSION

There was an inverse association between the amount of alcohol intake and CAC among South Asians while a positive association was found between alcohol consumption and common-cIMT. Long-term follow-up of the MASALA cohort will examine prospective associations of alcohol intake with the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis, incident CVD events, and mortality.

Differences Between Coronary Artery Calcification and Aortic Artery Calcification in Relation to Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Japanese Men

AIMS

Calcification in the coronary and aortic arteries has been linked to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiological influence of aortic artery calcification (AAC) differs from that of coronary artery calcification (CAC). We aimed to compare the relationships between CAC and AAC and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

METHODS

We examined a random sample of 1035 Japanese men aged 40-79 years. CAC and AAC were measured by computed tomography and scored according to the Agatston method. Using a logistic regression, we calculated the odds ratio (OR) as being in the highest quintile (Q5) of the calcification score compared to the lower quintiles (Q1-Q4) per 1 standard deviation higher CVD risk factor. Models were simultaneously adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, smoking (pack-year), alcohol intake, hemoglobin A1c, uric acid, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum lipids, and C-reactive protein. Differences in ORs were investigated using a generalized estimating equation. We performed a multiple linear regression using log-transformed CAC and AAC values as dependent variables.

RESULTS

CAC and AAC were independently associated with age (OR, 95% CI: 2.30 [1.77-2.98] for CAC and 3.48 [2.57-4.73] for AAC), p for difference ＜0.001), systolic blood pressure (1.29 [1.08-1.53] and 1.28 [1.07-1.54], p for difference=0.270), and smoking (1.22, [1.04-1.43] and 1.34 [1.13-1.58]) p for difference=0.071). Alcohol correlated with AAC only (1.17 [0.97-1.41] for CAC and 1.42 [1.16-1.73] for AAC, p for difference= 0.020).

CONCLUSIONS

CAC and AAC were associated with similar CVD risk factors. The strength of association slightly differed between CAC and AAC.

Effect of Alcohol Consumption on Cardiovascular Health

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review aims to discuss the effect of alcohol consumption on various cardiovascular (CV) diseases and CV mortality.

RECENT FINDINGS

Alcohol intake has consistently shown a J- or U-shaped relationship with several cardiovascular diseases. Light to moderate alcohol intake has been associated with lower risk of coronary artery disease, heart failure (HF), as well as CV mortality. On the other hand, heavy consumption has been associated with deleterious CV outcomes including increased mortality. However, the evidence is based from observational and population-based studies where risk of confounding cannot be excluded even after meticulous methodological approaches. This is compounded by conflicting data such as higher risk of certain CV diseases like HF in former drinkers compared to abstainers. Further, Mendelian randomization studies using genetic polymorphisms in enzymes have recently questioned the beneficial association of low-moderate drinking with CV system. There has been substantial and consistent evidence that light to moderate alcohol consumption have beneficial effect on overall cardiovascular profile and mortality. However, there are considerable limitations in the reported literature to determine a strong causality of a protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption by itself. Further robust studies or possibly a well-structured randomized controlled could bring an end to this debate.

Association of alcohol consumption and aortic calcification in healthy men aged 40-49 years for the ERA JUMP Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Several studies have reported a significant inverse association of light to moderate alcohol consumption with coronary heart disease (CHD). However, studies assessing the relationship between alcohol consumption and atherosclerosis have reported inconsistent results. The current study was conducted to determine the relationship between alcohol consumption and aortic calcification.

METHODS

We addressed the research question using data from the population-based ERA-JUMP Study, comprising of 1006 healthy men aged 40-49 years, without clinical cardiovascular diseases, from four race/ethnicities: 301 Whites, 103 African American, 292 Japanese American, and 310 Japanese in Japan. Aortic calcification was assessed by electron-beam computed tomography and quantified using the Agatston method. Alcohol consumption was categorized into four groups: 0 (non-drinkers), ≤1 (light drinkers), >1 to ≤3 (moderate drinkers) and >3 drinks per day (heavy drinkers) (1 drink = 12.5 g of ethanol). Tobit conditional regression and ordinal logistic regression were used to investigate the association of alcohol consumption with aortic calcification after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors and potential confounders.

RESULTS

The study participants consisted of 25.6% nondrinkers, 35.3% light drinkers, 23.5% moderate drinkers, and 15.6% heavy drinkers. Heavy drinkers [Tobit ratio (95% CI) = 2.34 (1.10, 4.97); odds ratio (95% CI) = 1.67 (1.11, 2.52)] had significantly higher expected aortic calcification score compared to nondrinkers, after adjusting for socio-demographic and confounding variables. There was no significant interaction between alcohol consumption and race/ethnicity on aortic calcification.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that heavy alcohol consumption may be an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis.

Alcohol Use and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Moderate drinking (vs abstinence) is associated with lower risk of CVD in the general population. We assessed whether alcohol use is associated with CVD risk in patients with NAFLD.

METHODS

We analyzed data from participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults longitudinal cohort study of 5115 black and white young adults, 18-30 years old, recruited from 4 cities in the United States from 1985 through 1986. Participants self-reported alcohol use at study entry and then again after 15, 20, and 25 years. At year 25 (2010-2011), participants underwent computed tomography examination of the thorax and abdomen and tissue Doppler echocardiography with myocardial strain measured by speckle tracking. Coronary artery calcification was defined as an Agatston score above 0. NAFLD was defined as liver attenuation <51 Hounsfield Units after exclusions. Drinkers reported 1-21 (men) or 1-14 (women) standard drinks/week at years 15, 20, or 25. Nondrinkers reported no alcohol use at years 15, 20, and 25.

RESULTS

Of the 570 participants with NAFLD (mean age, 50 years; 54% black; 46% female), 332 (58%) were drinkers; significantly higher proportions of drinkers were white, male, and with higher levels of education compared with nondrinkers (P < .05 for all). Higher proportions of drinkers had obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome compared with nondrinkers (P < .01). There was no difference in liver attenuation between groups (P = .12). After multivariable adjustment, there was no association between alcohol use and CVD risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia) or subclinical CVD measures (coronary artery calcification, early transmitral velocity/late (atrial) transmitral velocity (E/A) ratio, global longitudinal strain).

CONCLUSIONS

In a population-based sample of individuals with NAFLD in midlife, prospectively assessed alcohol use is not associated with significant differences in risk factors for CVD or markers of subclinical CVD. In contrast to general population findings, alcohol use may not reduce the risk of CVD in patients with NAFLD.

Alcohol Consumption and Cardiac Biomarkers: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

BACKGROUND

The role of alcohol in the development of subclinical cardiovascular disease is unclear. We examined the association between alcohol consumption and markers of subclinical cardiac damage and wall stress.

METHODS

We studied the cross-sectional and prospective associations of alcohol consumption with high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measured at 2 time points, 6 years apart (baseline, 1990-1992; follow-up, 1996-1998), in over 11000 participants of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study with no history of cardiovascular disease. Alcohol consumption was categorized as follows: never, former, current: ≤1, 2-7, 8-14, and ≥15 drinks/week.

RESULTS

Compared to never drinkers, persons who consumed 2-7 drinks per week were less likely to have increased hs-cTnT (≥14 ng/L) at baseline (odds ratio = 0.67, 95% CI, 0.46-0.96), and had a lower risk of incident increases in hs-cTnT at follow-up (relative risk = 0.70, 95% CI, 0.49-1.00). Conversely, there was a positive association between alcohol intake and NT-proBNP concentrations at baseline. Consumption of ≥15 drinks/week was positively associated with incident increases in NT-proBNP (≥300 pg/mL) at the 6-year follow-up visit (relative risk = 2.38, 95% CI, 1.43-3.96).

CONCLUSIONS

In this community-based study of middle-aged adults without a history of cardiovascular disease, moderate drinking was associated with lower concentrations of hs-cTnT, a marker of chronic subclinical myocardial damage, and positively associated with NT-proBNP, a biomarker of cardiac wall stress. Our results suggest that the cardiac effects of alcohol are complex. Cardiac biomarkers may help improve our understanding of the full cardiovascular effects of alcohol consumption.

A review of the effect of diet on cardiovascular calcification

Cardiovascular (CV) calcification is known as sub-clinical atherosclerosis and is recognised as a predictor of CV events and mortality. As yet there is no treatment for CV calcification and conventional CV risk factors are not consistently correlated, leaving clinicians uncertain as to optimum management for these patients. For this reason, a review of studies investigating diet and serum levels of macro- and micronutrients was carried out. Although there were few human studies of macronutrients, nevertheless transfats and simple sugars should be avoided, while long chain ω-3 fats from oily fish may be protective. Among the micronutrients, an intake of 800 μg/day calcium was beneficial in those without renal disease or hyperparathyroidism, while inorganic phosphorus from food preservatives and colas may induce calcification. A high intake of magnesium (≥380 mg/day) and phylloquinone (500 μg/day) proved protective, as did a serum 25(OH)D concentration of ≥75 nmol/L. Although oxidative damage appears to be a cause of CV calcification, the antioxidant vitamins proved to be largely ineffective, while supplementation of α-tocopherol may induce calcification. Nevertheless other antioxidant compounds (epigallocatechin gallate from green tea and resveratrol from red wine) were protective. Finally, a homocysteine concentration >12 µmol/L was predictive of CV calcification, although a plasma folate concentration of >39.4 nmol/L could both lower homocysteine and protect against calcification. In terms of a dietary programme, these recommendations indicate avoiding sugar and the transfats and preservatives found in processed foods and drinks and adopting a diet high in oily fish and vegetables. The micronutrients magnesium and vitamin K may be worthy of further investigation as a treatment option for CV calcification.

Association between alcohol consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in patients with hypertension: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a meta-analysis summarizing the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality (ACM) in relation to alcohol consumption in patients with hypertension, focusing on clarifying dose-response associations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

PubMed and EMBASE were searched for eligible prospective cohort studies from December 3, 1949, through January 18, 2014. The semi-parameter method and dose-response analysis were used.

RESULTS

Nine studies (11 cohorts) were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with the lowest alcohol level (abstainers/occasional drinkers), the pooled relative risk (RR) was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.68-0.77) for the third highest category (median, 10 g/d), 0.81 (95% CI, 0.71-0.93) for the second highest category (median, 20 g/d), and 0.60 (95% CI, 0.54-0.67) for the highest category (median, 30 g/d). A J-shaped relationship between alcohol use and ACM was observed, and the nadir (RR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.76-0.88) was found to be at a dose of 8 to 10 g of alcohol consumption per day.

CONCLUSION

Findings of this meta-analysis suggest that low-to-moderate alcohol consumption was inversely significantly associated with the risk of CVD and ACM in patients with hypertension.

Mortality risks associated with average drinking level and episodic heavy drinking

Data from the 1997 to 2004 National Health Interview Survey Sample Adult questionnaires were linked to the National Death Index (N = 242,397) to examine mortality risks associated with average and episodic heavy drinking. Cox proportional hazard models (Stata 12.0) revealed that (average) heavier drinkers and episodic heavy drinkers (5+ in a day) had increased mortality risks but when examined together, episodic heavy drinking added only modestly to the mortality risks of light and moderate drinkers. Limitations and implications of results for survey measurement of potentially harmful levels of alcohol use are noted. This was a Federal study that received no outside funding.

Association of serum phosphorus variability with coronary artery calcification among hemodialysis patients

Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is associated with increased mortality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD), but the pathogenesis of this condition is not well understood. We evaluated the relationship of CAC score (CACs) and variability in serum phosphorus in MHD patients. Seventy-seven adults on MHD at Huashan Hospital (Shanghai) were enrolled in July, 2010. CAC of all the patients were measured by computed tomography and CACs was calculated by the Agatston method at the entry of enrollment. Patients were divided into three categories according to their CACs (0∼10, 11∼400, and >400). Blood chemistry was recorded every 3 months from January 2008 to July 2010. Phosphorus variation was defined by the standard deviation (SD) or coefficient of variation (CV) and it was calculated from the past records. The ordinal multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the predictors of CAC. The mean patient age (± SD) was 61.7 years (±11.3) and 51% of patients were men. The mean CACs was 609.6 (±1062.9), the median CACs was 168.5, and 78% of patients had CACs more than 0. Multivariate analysis indicated that female gender (OR = 0.20, 95% CI = 0.07–0.55), age (OR = 2.31, 95% CI = 1.32–4.04), serum fibroblast growth factor 23 (OR = 2.25, 95% CI = 1.31–3.85), SD-phosphorus calculated from the most recent 6 measurements (OR = 2.12; 95% CI = 1.23–3.63), and CV-phosphorus calculated from the most recent 6 measurements (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.16–3.11) were significantly and independently associated with CACs. These associations persisted for phosphorus variation calculated from past 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 follow-up values. Variability of serum phosphorus may contribute significantly to CAC and keeping serum phosphorus stable may decrease coronary calcification and associated morbidity and mortality in MHD patients.

Is alcohol beneficial or harmful for cardioprotection?

While the effects of chronic ethanol consumption on liver have been well studied and documented, its effect on the cardiovascular system is bimodal. Thus, moderate drinking in many population studies is related to lower prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD). In contrast, heavy drinking correlates with higher prevalence of CAD. In several other studies of cardiovascular mortalities, abstainers and heavy drinkers are at higher risk than light or moderate drinkers. The composite of this disparate relation in several population studies of cardiovascular mortality has been a "U-" or "J-"shaped curve. Apart from its ability to eliminate cholesterol from the intima of the arteries by reverse cholesterol transport, another major mechanism by which HDL may have this cardioprotective property is by virtue of the ability of its component enzyme paraoxonase1 (PON1) to inhibit LDL oxidation and/or inactivate OxLDL. Therefore, PON1 plays a central role in the disposal of OxLDL and thus is antiatherogenic. Furthermore, PON1 is a multifunctional antioxidant enzyme that can also detoxify the homocysteine metabolite, homocysteine thiolactone (HTL), which can pathologically cause protein damage by homocysteinylation of the lysine residues, thereby leading to atherosclerosis. We demonstrated that moderate alcohol up regulates liver PON1 gene expression and serum activity, whereas heavy alcohol consumption had the opposite effects in both animal models and in humans. The increase in PON1 activity in light drinkers was not due to preferential distribution of high PON1 genotype in this group. It is well known that wine consumption in several countries shows a remarkable inverse correlation to local rates of CAD mortality. Significantly, apart from its alcohol content, red wine also has polyphenols such as quercetin and resveratrol that are also known to have cardioprotective effects. We have shown that quercetin also up regulates PON1 gene in rats and in human liver cells. The action of quercetin seems to be mediated via the active form of the nuclear lipogenic transcription factor, sterol-regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) that is translocated from endoplasmic reticulum to the nucleus. However, the mechanism of action of ethanol-mediated up-regulation of PON1 gene remains to be elucidated. We conclude that both moderate ethanol and quercetin, the two major components of red wine, exhibit cardioprotective properties via the up-regulation of the antiatherogenic gene PON1.

Long-term alcohol consumption in relation to all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among survivors of myocardial infarction: the Health Professionals Follow-up Study

AIMS

The aim of this study was to examine the association between long-term alcohol consumption, alcohol consumption before and after myocardial infarction (MI), and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among survivors of MI.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS) is a prospective cohort study of 51 529 US male health professionals. From 1986 to 2006, 1818 men were confirmed with incident non-fatal MI. Among MI survivors, 468 deaths were documented during up to 20 years of follow-up. Long-term average alcohol consumption was calculated beginning from the time period immediately before the first MI and updated every 4 years afterward. Cox proportional hazards were used to estimate the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Compared with non-drinkers, the multivariable-adjusted HRs for all-cause mortality were 0.78 (95% CI: 0.62-0.97) for 0.1-9.9 g/day, 0.66 (95% CI: 0.51-0.86) for 10.0-29.9 g/day, and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.61-1.25) for ≥30 g/day (P(quadratic)= 0.006). For cardiovascular mortality, the corresponding HRs were 0.74 (95% CI: 0.54-1.02), 0.58 (95% CI: 0.39-0.84), and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.60-1.60), P(quadratic)= 0.003. These findings were consistent when restricted to pre- and post-MI alcohol assessments. In subgroup analyses, moderate alcohol consumption was inversely associated with mortality among men with non-anterior infarcts, and among men with mildly diminished left ventricular function.

CONCLUSION

Long-term moderate alcohol consumption is inversely associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among men who survived a first MI. This U-shaped association may be strongest among individuals with less impaired cardiac function after MI and should be examined further.

Associations of moderate alcohol consumption with clinical and MRI measures in multiple sclerosis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the associations of alcohol consumption patterns with disability and brain injury in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

DESIGN

This study included 423 subjects (272 MS patients, 151 healthy controls) participating in a study of clinical, environmental and genetic risk factors in MS. Disability was assessed with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the MS Severity Scale (MSSS). Brain injury was assessed using the quantitative MRI measures of T2-lesion volume (T2-LV), T1-LV, normalized volumes of brain parenchyma (NBV), gray matter (NGMV) and lateral ventricle (NLVV). Information related to alcohol-consumption patterns was obtained with standardized questionnaire during an in-person interview. The associations of alcohol consumption variables with disability and MRI measures were assessed in regression analyses.

RESULTS

The frequency of MS patients who did not consume alcohol after MS (19.4%) was higher than the frequency before MS (p<0.001). The EDSS, NGMV and NLVV exhibited a non-linear dependence on duration of alcohol consumption after MS onset: non-linear regression analyses indicated that EDSS and NLVV were lower and the NGMV was greater in MS patients who had consumed for a period of 15years or less after MS onset compared those who did not consume alcohol or consumed it for more than 15years.

CONCLUSION

The duration of alcohol consumption is associated with disability and MRI measures in MS. Prospective, longitudinal studies of the role of alcohol in MS disease progression are warranted.

Moderate ethanol ingestion and cardiovascular protection: from epidemiologic associations to cellular mechanisms

While ethanol intake at high levels (3-4 or more drinks), either in acute (occasional binge drinking) or chronic (daily) settings, increases the risk for myocardial infarction and stroke, an inverse relationship between regular consumption of alcoholic beverages at light to moderate levels (1-2 drinks per day) and cardiovascular risk has been consistently noted in a large number of epidemiologic studies. Although initially attributed to polyphenolic antioxidants in red wine, subsequent work has established that the ethanol component contributes to the beneficial effects associated with moderate intake of alcoholic beverages regardless of type (red versus white wine, beer, spirits). Concerns have been raised with regard to interpretation of epidemiologic evidence for this association including heterogeneity of the reference groups examined in many studies, different lifestyles of moderate drinkers versus abstainers, and favorable risk profiles in moderate drinkers. However, better controlled epidemiologic studies and especially work conducted in animal models and cell culture systems have substantiated this association and clearly established a cause and effect relationship between alcohol consumption and reductions in tissue injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), respectively. The aims of this review are to summarize the epidemiologic evidence supporting the effectiveness of ethanol ingestion in reducing the likelihood of adverse cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, even in patients with co-existing risk factors, to discuss the ideal quantities, drinking patterns, and types of alcoholic beverages that confer protective effects in the cardiovascular system, and to review the findings of recent experimental studies directed at uncovering the mechanisms that underlie the cardiovascular protective effects of antecedent ethanol ingestion. Mechanistic interrogation of the signaling pathways invoked by antecedent ethanol ingestion may point the way towards development of new therapeutic approaches that mimic the powerful protective effects of socially relevant alcohol intake to limit I/R injury, but minimize the negative psychosocial impact and pathologic outcomes that also accompany consumption of ethanol.

Alcohol consumption and aortic arch calcification in an older Chinese sample: the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between alcohol consumption and aortic arch calcification (AAC) in an older Chinese sample.

METHODS

In 27,844 older people aged 50-85, socioeconomic position and lifestyle factors were assessed by a questionnaire. The presence and severity of AAC were diagnosed from chest X-ray by two experienced radiologists.

RESULTS

In men, the risk for AAC increased significantly in frequent or excessive drinkers [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.36 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-1.59) and 1.49 (1.21-1.83) for those who drank >5 times/week and those who drank excessively, respectively] (P for trend from 0.002 to 0.001). When AAC was analyzed as an outcome variable with 3 categories of severity, significant dose-response relations between the severity of AAC and alcohol consumption were observed, with those who drank frequently (>5/week) or excessively having more serious AAC (P for trend=0.03 and 0.02, respectively). No significant association was found in women as few drank excessively.

CONCLUSION

The presence and severity of AAC were associated with quantity or frequency of alcohol consumption in a dose-response pattern, suggesting that alcohol drinking, even when moderate, has no benefit for AAC. Excessive drinking increased the risk of AAC by 50% compared to never drinkers.

Association between alcohol intake amount and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Korean rural male population

Moderate alcohol consumption is known to be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. However, few studies reported that long-term alcohol drinking may increase the prevalence of central obesity, and cardiovascular disease. We examined the association between metabolic syndrome, nutritional factors and alcohol intake amount in Korean male rural population. We performed a cross-sectional analysis on data from Korean Rural Genomic Cohort (KRGC) study. We used multiple logistic regression analysis to estimate the adjusted odds ratio of metabolic syndrome according to alcohol intake amount categories (never, 0-16 g/day, 16-40 g/day, and >40 g/day). The age adjusted odds ratio for the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly increased in the quartile with the highest alcohol consumption compared to the non-alcohol drinking group (1.33; C.I., 1.11-1.59). These results were similar in the high energy intake group, but not in the low energy intake group. Waist circumference, blood pressure, and serum triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the quartile with the highest alcohol consumption compared to the non-alcohol drinking group. These results suggest that large alcohol consumption is associated with metabolic syndrome and may be a modifiable risk factor of metabolic syndrome especially in subjects with high calorie intake.

Alcohol and coronary artery calcium prevalence, incidence, and progression: results from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

BACKGROUND

Alcohol use has been consistently found to have a J-shaped association with coronary heart disease, with moderate drinkers exhibiting a decreased risk compared with both heavy drinkers and nondrinkers. However, results of studies of the association between alcohol use and subclinical coronary artery disease are conflicting.

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to determine whether alcohol is associated with the presence, amount, or progression of coronary calcium over a 2- to 4-y period.

DESIGN

The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) is a prospective community-based cohort study of subclinical cardiovascular disease in a multi-ethnic cohort. In 2000-2002, 6814 participants free of clinical cardiovascular disease were enrolled at 6 participating centers.

RESULTS

The subjects consisted of 3766 (55.5%) current drinkers, 1635 (24.1%) former drinkers, and 1390 (20.5%) never drinkers. Although light-to-moderate alcohol consumption was associated with lower coronary heart disease risk, we found no evidence of a protective or J-shaped association of alcohol and coronary artery calcium (CAC). In fact, there was evidence that heavy consumption of hard liquor was associated with greater CAC accumulation. Other alcoholic beverages were not associated with CAC prevalence, incidence, or progression.

CONCLUSIONS

This was the first large study to evaluate the association of alcohol with CAC in 4 racial-ethnic groups and to evaluate the progression of calcification. These results suggest that the cardiovascular benefits that may be derived from light-to-moderate alcohol consumption are not mediated through reduced CAC accumulation.

Effects of an intervention on health behaviors of older coronary artery bypass (CAB) patients

Coronary artery bypass (CAB) patients are older increasingly more often than before. Effectiveness of cardiac rehabilitation among the elderly is not yet adequately known about. The purpose was to describe short-term (3-month), intermediate (6-month), and long-term (12-month) effects of health counseling, guidance, and adjustment education in groups on health, health behaviors, and functional abilities among older CAB patients. The study population was randomized to an intervention group (IG=49) and a control group (CG=68). Prior to CAB, intervention included one guidance and counseling group session and four sessions within 12 months following CAB. Intervention had positive effects on exercise activities, use of alcohol, and functional abilities among all participants, and on frequency of eating visible fat, fresh greens and vegetables among men. The intervention was effective with some exercise activities and functional abilities persisting for at least 1 year following CAB. Similar interventions may be arranged for older people. Health care professionals need to guide and encourage older people in their efforts to participate in them.

To drink or not to drink? That is the question

Numerous studies have used a J-shaped or U-shaped curve to describe the relationship between alcohol use and total mortality. The nadir of the curves based on recent meta-analysis suggested optimal benefit at approximately half a drink per day. Fewer than 4 drinks per day in men and fewer than 2 per day in women appeared to confer benefit. Reductions in cardiovascular death and nonfatal myocardial infarction were also associated with light to moderate alcohol intake. Although some studies suggested that wine had an advantage over other types of alcoholic beverages, other studies suggested that the type of drink was not important. Heavy drinking was associated with an increase in mortality, hypertension, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, cancer, and cerebrovascular events, including cerebrovascular hemorrhage. Paradoxically, light-to-moderate alcohol use actually reduced the development of heart failure and did not appear to exacerbate it in most patients who had underlying heart failure. Numerous mechanisms have been proposed to explain the benefit that light-to-moderate alcohol intake has on the heart, including an increase of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, reduction in plasma viscosity and fibrinogen concentration, increase in fibrinolysis, decrease in platelet aggregation, improvement in endothelial function, reduction of inflammation, and promotion of antioxidant effects. Controversy exists on whether alcohol has a direct cardioprotective effect on ischemic myocardium. Studies from our laboratory do not support the concept that alcohol has a direct cardioprotective effect on ischemic/reperfused myocardium. Perhaps the time has come for a prospectively randomized trial to determine whether 1 drink per day (or perhaps 1 drink every other day) reduces mortality and major cardiovascular events.

Alcohol and cardiovascular health: the razor-sharp double-edged sword

An extensive body of data shows concordant J-shaped associations between alcohol intake and a variety of adverse health outcomes, including coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, congestive heart failure, stroke, dementia, Raynaud's phenomenon, and all-cause mortality. Light to moderate alcohol consumption (up to 1 drink daily for women and 1 or 2 drinks daily for men) is associated with cardioprotective benefits, whereas increasingly excessive consumption results in proportional worsening of outcomes. Alcohol consumption confers cardiovascular protection predominately through improvements in insulin sensitivity and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The ethanol itself, rather than specific components of various alcoholic beverages, appears to be the major factor in conferring health benefits. Low-dose daily alcohol is associated with better health than less frequent consumption. Binge drinking, even among otherwise light drinkers, increases cardiovascular events and mortality. Alcohol should not be universally prescribed for health enhancement to nondrinking individuals owing to the lack of randomized outcome data and the potential for problem drinking.

Less subclinical atherosclerosis in Japanese men in Japan than in White men in the United States in the post-World War II birth cohort

Coronary heart disease incidence and mortality remain very low in Japan despite major dietary changes and increases in risk factors that should have resulted in a substantial increase in coronary heart disease rates (Japanese paradox). Primary genetic effects are unlikely, given the substantial increase in coronary heart disease in Japanese migrating to the United States. For men aged 40-49 years, levels of total cholesterol and blood pressure have been similar in Japan and the United States throughout their lifetimes. The authors tested the hypothesis that levels of subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary artery calcification, and intima-media thickness of the carotid artery in men aged 40-49 years are similar in Japan and the United States. They conducted a population-based study of 493 randomly selected men: 250 in Kusatsu City, Shiga, Japan, and 243 White men in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in 2002-2005. Compared with the Whites, the Japanese had a less favorable profile regarding many risk factors. The prevalence ratio for the presence of a coronary calcium score of > or =10 for the Japanese compared with the Whites was 0.52 (95% confidence interval: 0.35, 0.76). Mean intima-media thickness was significantly lower in the Japanese (0.616 mm (standard error, 0.005) vs. 0.672 (standard error, 0.005) mm, p < 0.01). Both associations remained significant after adjusting for risk factors. The findings warrant further investigations.

Influence of alcohol consumption on IBS and dyspepsia

The role of alcohol use in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and dyspepsia is not well understood. We hypothesised that people with psychological distress who drink no alcohol, or excess alcohol, are at increased risk of having IBS or dyspepsia. Valid gastrointestinal (GI) symptom surveys were mailed to randomly selected cohorts of community residents. Associations between IBS, dyspepsia and abdominal pain and alcohol use were assessed using logistic regression adjusted for a Somatic Symptom Checklist score (SSC). A total of 4390 (80%) responded; of these, 10.5% reported IBS, 2% dyspepsia and 22% abdominal pain. Alcohol consumption >7 drinks week(-1) was associated with a greater odds for dyspepsia (OR 2.3; 95% CI:1.1-5.0) and frequent abdominal pain (OR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-2.0) but not IBS. However, significant interactions among gender, alcohol use and SSC scores were detected (P < 0.005). In females with a low SSC score, consuming alcohol > or =7 drinks week(-1) increased the odds of IBS compared to drinking alcohol moderately. Alcohol consumption was associated with dyspepsia and abdominal pain. A relationship with IBS was identified when interactions with somatization and gender were appropriately considered. Whether these associations are due to the effects of alcohol on the gut, or a common central mechanism remains to be determined.

Alcohol consumption and coronary artery calcium in middle-aged Japanese men

Epidemiologic studies have investigated the relation between alcohol intake and coronary calcification, with controversial results. Furthermore, the influence of heavy drinking has not been well elucidated. In the present study, a random sample of community-based Japanese men aged 40 to 49 years without a history of cardiovascular disease (n=245) were examined for coronary artery calcium (CAC) determined by electron-beam computed tomography and drinking status. There was a J-shaped association between alcohol intake and CAC. There was an increase of CAC in heavy drinkers (>or=46 g/day), and participants who were drinking>or=69 g/day showed a significant increase in CAC compared with never drinkers after adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors.

Is alcohol consumption associated with calcified atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries and aorta?

BACKGROUND

The goal was to investigate the relation of alcohol consumption to the presence of calcified atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries (CAC) and aorta. Previous results have been conflicting, showing increases, decreases, or no effect of alcohol on risk of calcified plaque.

METHODS

We evaluated the relation of alcohol intake to presence of CAC and calcified plaque in the aorta among 3166 white and African American subjects from the NHLBI Family Heart Study who underwent cardiac computed tomography scans.

RESULTS

With adjustments for age, race, study center, body mass index, hyperglycemia/diabetes, hypertension, and smoking, odds ratios (and 95% CI) for CAC scores >100 in nondrinkers and consumers of 1 to 3, 4 to 7, 8 to 14, and >14 drinks per week were 1.0, 0.8 (0.4, 1.3), 1.1 (0.6, 1.9), 0.9 (0.5, 1.5), and 1.5 (0.9, 2.5), respectively, for men and 1.0, 0.9 (0.5, 1.6), 1.3 (0.8, 2.3), 1.3 (0.7, 2.2), and 2.1 (0.8, 5.9) for women. Sensitivity analyses with other cut-points for calcification gave similar results. Analyses of alcohol and aortic calcification showed similar, nonsignificant associations.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite its frequently demonstrated beneficial effects on coronary artery disease risk, alcohol consumption in this study was not associated with calcified atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries or in the aorta. This suggests that its effects on cardiovascular risk may occur through mechanisms other than those associated with the development of calcified plaque.