Associations between alcohol consumption and selected cytokines in a Swiss population-based sample (CoLaus study)

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the associations between alcohol consumption and cytokine levels (interleukin-1beta – IL-1β; interleukin-6 – IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α – TNF-α) in a Caucasian population. MethodsPopulation sample of 2884 men and 3201 women aged 35–75. Alcohol consumption was categorized as nondrinkers, low (1–6 drinks/week), moderate (7–13/week) and high (14+/week). ResultsNo difference in IL-1β levels was found between alcohol consumption categories. Low and moderate alcohol consumption led to lower IL-6 levels: median (interquartile range) 1.47 (0.70–3.51), 1.41 (0.70–3.32), 1.42 (0.66–3.19) and 1.70 (0.83–4.39)pg/ml for nondrinkers, low, moderate and high drinkers, respectively, p<0.01, but this association was no longer significant after multivariate adjustment. Compared to nondrinkers, moderate drinkers had the lowest odds (Odds ratio=0.86 (0.71–1.03)) of being in the highest quartile of IL-6, with a significant (p<0.05) quadratic trend. Low and moderate alcohol consumption led to lower TNF-α levels: 2.92 (1.79–4.63), 2.83 (1.84–4.48), 2.82 (1.76–4.34) and 3.15 (1.91–4.73)pg/ml for nondrinkers, low, moderate and high drinkers, respectively, p<0.02, and this difference remained borderline significant (p=0.06) after multivariate adjustment. Moderate drinkers had a lower odds (0.81 [0.68–0.98]) of being in the highest quartile of TNF-α. No specific alcoholic beverage (wine, beer or spirits) effect was found. ConclusionsModerate alcohol consumption is associated with lower levels of IL-6 and (to a lesser degree) of TNF-α, irrespective of the type of alcohol consumed. No association was found between IL-1β levels and alcohol consumption.