Effect of ethanol dose on low density lipoproteins and high density lipoprotein subfractions.
Male squirrel monkeys were fed increasing caloric percentages (0, 12, 24, and 36%) of ethanol (ETOH) substituted isocalorically for carbohydrate as part of a chemically defined liquid diet to assess how alcohol dose modifies plasma lipoproteins and liver function. A separate group of primates was used to define the dose at which elevations in plasma apolipoprotein B first occurred and to measure plasma alcohol levels. ETOH caused a dose-related, linear increase in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol which was primarily the result of increments in coronary protective HDL2 cholesterol. HDL2 total mass (lipid + protein) followed the pattern of HDL2 cholesterol. Animals fed the 12% regimen had plasma ETOH levels of approximately 49 mg/dl, the lowest low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and the highest HDL2/HDL3 cholesterol ratio. Significant elevations in apolipoprotein B first appeared at 18% ETOH while higher doses (24 and 36%) caused increases in LDL cholesterol and HDL3, reduced HDL2/HDL3 ratios, and plasma alcohol levels of 142 and 202 mg/dl, respectively. Liver function tests were normal for all animals. Our results indicate that while a moderate ETOH caloric intake (12%) produces an antiatherogenic lipoprotein profile (decreases LDL/HDL, increases HDL2/HDL3), any coronary protection afforded by continued increases in HDL2 at higher doses may be attenuated by concurrent atherogenic alterations (increases LDL cholesterol, increases apolipoprotein B).
Hojnacki
J L
JL
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lowell, MA 01854.
Cluette-Brown
J E
JE
Mulligan
J J
JJ
Hagan
S M
SM
Mahony
K E
KE
Witzgall
S K
SK
Osmolski
T V
TV
Barboriak
J J
JJ
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D053439:Lipoproteins, HDL2; D053440:Lipoproteins, HDL3; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012453:Saimiri
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D053439:Lipoproteins, HDL2; D053440:Lipoproteins, HDL3; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL