Divergent effect of acute and chronic alcohol on arterial stiffness.
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.
Mahmud
Azra
A
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Trinity College Dublin and Hypertension Clinic, St James's Hospital, Ireland.
Feely
John
J
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
D000431:Ethanol