Biochemical indicators and cardiac function tests in chronic alcohol abusers.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of chronic alcohol abuse on cardiac function, antioxidant system, trace elements, and liver function tests.


METHODS
Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as zinc, magnesium, and copper were assayed in 25 chronic alcoholic patients and their 25 healthy relatives matched in age and gender. Echocardiographic parameters were evaluated for subjects.


RESULTS
Mean corpuscular volume (96.7 fL vs 92.4 fL) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin levels (31.4 pg vs 30.5 pg) were found to be significantly increased in the patient group (P=0.002 and P=0.048, respectively). The results of the SOD and MDA assays showed no significant differences between the two groups. AST (38.7 U/L vs 22.1 U/L) and GGT (104.2 U/L vs 34.2 U/L) levels were found to be significantly increased in the patient group compared with controls (P=0.005 and P<0.001, respectively). Magnesium (1.6 mmol/L vs 1.8 mmol/L) and zinc levels (14.9 micromol/L vs 19.2 micromol/L) were significantly decreased, whereas copper levels (19.3 micromol/L vs 17.9 micromol/L) were increased in alcoholics (P=0.042, P<0.001 and P=0.003, respectively). Echocardiographic examination showed a significant decrease in mitral and tricuspid ratio of peak early and atrial flow velocity (E/A ratio) in alcoholics.


CONCLUSIONS
Decrease in mitral and tricuspid E/A ratios accompanied with low levels of magnesium and zinc, and increased levels of copper indicate that alcoholics already have heart muscle disease even chronic alcohol exposure.
Avşaroglu
Demet
D
Department of Biochemistry, Cukurova University, Medical Faculty, Adana, Turkey.
Inal
Tamer C
TC
Demir
Mesut
M
Attila
Gülen
G
Acartürk
Esmeray
E
Emre Evlice
Yunus
Y
Kayrin
Levent
L
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002310:Cardiomyopathy, Alcoholic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D014131:Trace Elements; D003300:Copper; D008274:Magnesium; D015032:Zinc