Ethanol induced cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Although the beneficial effects of mild or moderate ethanol consumption have been implied with respect to coronary artery disease, excessive ethanol consumption can result in alcoholic heart muscle disease (AHMD). The latter is characterized by features consistent with dilated cardiomyopathy with concomitant ventricular dysfunction and histopathological abnormalities. By definition, no other cause for the abnormalities in AHMD is demonstrated, other than excessive alcohol consumption. The metabolic basis of AHMD is probably multi-factorial, and the alterations of myocardial biochemistry are contributing factors for the precipitation and progression of the disease. The latter may reverse with abstention. Evidence is provided to support the contention that the abnormalities include central defects in protein metabolism, which perhaps are engendered by free radicals and/or the formation of acetaldehyde adducts. The latter may initiate the formation of auto-antibodies, therefore providing an auto-immune basis for AHMD in chronic alcohol misuse. Evidence is also provided to show that acetaldehyde is a potent perturbant of protein synthesis, and reduces the formation of new contractile proteins.

DCFH2 interactions with hydroxyl radicals and other oxidants – Influence of organic solvents

“…The current recommendation from the British Heart Foundation is a maximum consumption of 30 g ethanol per day (Preedy and Richardson 1994). Epidemiological studies have shown the protective effect of modest alcohol consumption on the incidence of cardiovascular diseases which account for the majority of death in Western world (Redmond et al, 2000;Tolstrup et al, 2006).…”

Low ethanol consumption increases insulin sensitivity in Wistar rats

“…This phenomenon was mainly related to the capability of moderate alcohol levels to lower CHD risk factors like high levels of LDL cholesterol and fibrinogen, and to increase in parallel the levels of cardioprotective HDL cholesterol (1,7,8).…”

Detecting Alcohol-Related Problems among General Hospital Patients with Heart Disease

“…Despite the reported cardioprotective effect of low to moderate alcohol drinking [1], the causal role of heavy alcohol drinking for certain cardiovascular diseases has been well documented [2, 3]. Therefore, it is important to screen cardiac patients for alcohol-related problems.…”

“…Several epidemiologic studies suggest that moderate alcohol intake decreases the risk of coronary heart disease [1]. Despite the cardioprotective effect of alcohol, long-term excessive alcohol consumption is considered a major cause of heart disease for a significant number of people [2, 3]. Problem drinkers constitute a significant proportion of the patients admitted to the General Hospital, and early detection is important for this group of patients.…”

“…Problem drinkers constitute a significant proportion of the patients admitted to the General Hospital, and early detection is important for this group of patients. In view of the fact that in routine clinical practice doctors fail to detect alcohol-related problems in many of their patients [3, 4], identifying alcohol-related problems among inpatients with cardiac disease should be of value.…”