Alcohol Abuse: Critical Pathophysiological Processes and Contribution to Disease Burden

Abstract

Alcohol abuse; the most common and costly form of drug abuse, is a major contributing factor to many disease categories. The alcohol-attributable disease burden is closely related to the average volume of alcohol consumption, with dose-dependent relationships between amount and duration of alcohol consumption and the incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and pneumonia. The frequent occurrence of alcohol use disorders in the adult population and the significant and widespread detrimental organ system effects highlight the importance of recognizing and further investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying alcohol-induced tissue and organ injury.

Cardiovascular risks and benefits of moderate and heavy alcohol consumption

“…2,9,10 Alcoholinduced organ damage is dose-dependent, 4,5,10-13 and effects of high-dose and binge intake are clearly worse than those of low-dose or social alcohol consumption. 11,12 Definitions For the purpose of this Review, the terms 'ethanol' and 'alcohol' are used interchangeably, both referring to ethyl alcohol (CH 3 -CH 2 -OH). Although definitions of light, moderate, and heavy drinking are arbitrary, in this Review specific ranges of alcohol intake have been assigned to each term.…”

Mechanisms of Acute Alcohol Intoxication-Induced Modulation of Cyclic Mobilization of [Ca2+] in Rat Mesenteric Lymphatic Vessels

“…6,7 We have chosen to study AAI-induced changes in lymphatic pumping because AAI complicates recovery from injury and infection by impairing cardiovascular function, fluid homeostasis, and host defense. 8 The gut lymphatics are a primary route for nonbacterial, tissue injury factors released from the GI tract. These factors contribute to the development of multiple organ injury and failure following traumatic injury.…”

Use of metabolomics to elucidate the metabolic perturbation associated with hypertension in a black South African male cohort: the SABPA study

“…57 Alcohol abuse is seen as the most common form of drug abuse, and dose-dependent relationships exist between alcohol consumption and the incidence of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. 58 However, a demanding individualistic urban environment might also contribute to chronic stress where an ethnic group with a collectivistic orientation may not be able to exert control. 30 Behavioral adjustment to psychosocial stress was demonstrated in black African males who revealed apparent abuse of alcohol.…”