title: Divergent effect of acute and chronic alcohol on arterial stiffness.
abstract: To study the effects of alcohol on large artery function we measured arterial wave reflection in the aorta as augmentation index (AI%) by applanation tonometry in 324 subjects (18 to 86 years, 223 male). In eight subjects, when ingested acutely, red wine containing alcohol (0.8 g/kg), but not dealcoholized wine, reduced (P < .01) blood pressure (BP), pulse wave velocity, and AI%. Men with an excessive alcohol consumption (>21 units/week) had a higher AI% (12 +/- 2 v 5 +/- 2, P < .05) and BP, particularly aortic systolic, than did those with a lesser intake. This study suggests that alcohol when ingested acutely may reduce arterial stiffness, although alcohol when ingested chronically, in excess, increases it.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity College Dublin and Hypertension Clinic, St James's Hospital, Ireland.
authors.forename: Azra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahmud
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Feely
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011674:Pulse
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol