A study of effect of alcohol consumption on cardiovascular biomarkers in a tertiary care centre in the Kumaon Region

Abstract

An important mechanism responsible for increased cardiovascular risks in chronic excessive alcohol use is the pro-oxidant effects of alcohol. There are some emerging risk factors like :- (i) lipoprotein(a) {Lp[a]}, (ii) High‑sensitivity C‑reactive protein (hs‑CRP), (iii) Lipid profile, (iv) Prothrombotic and proinflammatory factors that play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. So we investigated the relation between the levels of cardiovascular biomarkers & the degree of alcohol intake in alcoholic subjects. The present study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, in association with the Department of Medicine, Government Medical College, Haldwani. Estimation of Serum Level of hs-CRP & Lp (a) byturbidimetric immunoassay. Serum Cholesterol by CHOD-POD & Triglycerides by enzymatic colorimetric method. LDL cholesterol was calculated by Friedwald equation.The mean total cholesterol, TG, LDLc, hs-CRP, Lp(a) & including HDLc levels were significantly raised (p < 0.05) in cases as compared to controls. The mean serum total cholesterol & Lp (a) levels showed no significant association across different alcohol drinking groups (p>0.05). The mean TG & LDLc levels were significantly (p<0.05) higher in occasional drinkers and heavy drinkers than that of low-moderate & moderate drinkers. The mean serum HDL cholesterol levels in the occasional drinkers were significantly elevated in comparison to the low-moderate drinkers, moderate drinkers and heavy drinkers. The mean serum hs-CRP level in the mediocre and heavy drinkers was significantly low (p<0.05) as compared occasional drinkers and low-moderate drinkers. Our study suggests heavy drinking (>30drinks/week) must be strongly discouraged as it may lead to changes in cardiovascular markers and dyslipidemia. Our study also showed a beneficial effect of occasional drinking on HDLc and moderate drinking on hs-CRP.