Alcohol and inflammation: a possible mechanism for protection against ischemic heart disease.
OBJECTIVE
Moderate alcohol consumption has been associated with a decreased risk for ischemic heart disease. Increases in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol may explain approximately 50% of this apparent benefit. Another potential mechanism may involve the effects of alcohol on systemic inflammation. Accordingly, the purpose of this article is to provide a narrative review of the literature concerning alcohol and inflammation.


RESULTS
Relevant articles were identified by searching MEDLINE from 1966 to 2001. Search terms included alcohol or ethanol combined with inflammation, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, or tumor necrosis factor alpha. Important references from these articles were also identified and reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
Considerable evidence exists from animal and human studies for potentially anti-inflammatory effects of alcohol consumption. Further research is needed to determine the effects of various patterns and levels of alcohol consumption on systemic markers of inflammation in humans.
D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha