Submitted on December 4, 2006
Revised on February 28, 2007
Accepted on April 12, 2007
Beyond HDL-cholesterol elevation: phospholipid enrichment and shift from HDL3 to HDL2 in alcohol consumers
Christian Schäfer, Alexandr Parlesak, Joachim Eckoldt, Christiane Bode, Johann C. Bode, Winfried März, and Karl Winkler
Dept. of Gastroenterology, Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus, Stuttgart 70376
Corresponding Author: christian.schaefer{at}rbk.de
The reduction of cardiovascular mortality associated with moderate alcohol consumption is chiefly thought to be mediated by elevation of HDL cholesterol (HDL-CH). This study highlights additional qualititative changes of HDL that might augment this antiatherogenic effect. Subjects: In 279 healthy men, alcohol and nutrient consumption were evaluated. Groups 1 (n=62), 2 (n=172), and 3 (n=45), comprised subjects with an alcohol consumption of 0-5.0g/d, 5.1-30.0g/d, and 30.1-75g/d, respectively. Lipid analysis was performed in non-fractionated and fractionated plasma including subfractions HDL2(a+b) and HDL3. Results: No difference in LDL cholesterol was observed. Compared to group 1, groups 2 and 3 exhibited a significant increase of HDL-CH (gr. 1: 44±10mg/dl, gr. 2: 51±11mg/dl, gr. 3: 55±11mg/dl, mean±SD, p<0.0005), accompanied by increased lipidation of HDL (relative shift from HDL3-CH to HDL2-CH). Moreover, phospholipid enrichment of HDL occurred in alcohol consumers, whereas the ratio between other HDL components remained constant. Multivariate analysis revealed alcohol to have the foremost statistical influence on changes of the HDL fraction, followed by BMI and physical activity level. Conclusions: The increased lipidation of HDL found in alcohol consumers might augment the antiatherogenic effect of HDL-CH elevation. In addition, the phospholipid enrichment of HDL might reduce the inflammatory response of atherogenesis.
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