Abstract
Typical alcohol consumption begins in the adolescence period, increasing the risk of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in adolescents and young adults, and while the pathophysiology of ALD is still not completely understood, it is believed that oxidative stress may be the major contributor that initiates and promotes the progression of liver damage. The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of alcohol consumption on the markers of oxidative stress and liver inflammation in the animal model of prolonged alcohol consumption in adolescents using various alcoholic beverages. In a homogenic group of 24 male Wistar rats (4 groups—6 animals per group), since 30th day of life, in order to mimic the alcohol consumption since adolescence, animals received (1) no alcoholic beverage (control group), (2) ethanol solution, (3) red wine, or (4) beer (experimental groups) for 6 weeks. Afterwards, the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), as well as levels of cytochrome P450-2E1 (CYP2E1), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl groups, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukine-10 (IL-10) were measured in liver homogenates. The difference between studied groups was observed for CYP2E1 and protein carbonyl groups levels (increased levels for animals receiving beer compared with control group), as well as for ALT activity (decreased activity for animals receiving beer compared with other experimental groups) (p < 0.05). The results suggested that some components of beer, other than ethanol, are responsible for its influence on the markers of oxidative stress and liver inflammation observed in the animal model of prolonged alcohol consumption in adolescents. Taking this into account, beer consumption in adolescents, which is a serious public health issue, should be assessed in further studies to broaden the knowledge of the progression of liver damage caused by alcohol consumption in this group.
Highlights
According to the data of the World Health Organization (WHO) [1], one in four adolescents aged 15–19 years declares the consumption of alcoholic beverages during the previous month, while the highest number of current drinkers is recorded in European countries
Excessive intake of alcohol is the main reason for liver diseases, including cirrhosis and cancer, as well as acute and chronic failure [7], while the most common health-related consequences include alcoholic liver disease (ALD), which is a condition associated with various morphological changes in the liver, ranging from steatosis alone to advanced steatosis accompanied by inflammation, fibrosis, and/or cirrhosis [8]
In the research conducted in the models of chronic alcohol abuse in adults, the significant influence of alcohol consumption on the markers of oxidative stress and liver inflammation was proven [17,18], but such an effect was not studied so far in developing organisms, as well as for the alcoholic beverages other than ethanol. As such studies analyzing these factors should be conducted in the animal models of alcohol abuse in adolescents, and not in human subjects, due to ethical issues, the aim of the present study was to assess the influence of alcohol consumption on the markers of oxidative stress and liver inflammation in the animal model of prolonged alcohol consumption in adolescents using various alcoholic beverages
Summary
According to the data of the World Health Organization (WHO) [1], one in four adolescents aged 15–19 years declares the consumption of alcoholic beverages during the previous month, while the highest number of current drinkers is recorded in European countries. Typical alcohol consumption begins in the adolescence period and is observed until adulthood [4], which increases risk of liver diseases in adults and elderly people, as described in the studies of Bosetti. The prevalence of ALD in adolescents and young adults is found to be rapidly increasing [9], and in some countries, for example China, it has doubled over the last 10 years [10]. The mortality rate related to chronic liver diseases that occur due to the excessive consumption of alcohol has been increasing, especially among young adults aged 25–34 years, as observed by a study in Great Britain [11] Excessive intake of alcohol is the main reason for liver diseases, including cirrhosis and cancer, as well as acute and chronic failure [7], while the most common health-related consequences include alcoholic liver disease (ALD), which is a condition associated with various morphological changes in the liver, ranging from steatosis alone to advanced steatosis accompanied by inflammation, fibrosis, and/or cirrhosis [8].
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