Effects of pure ethanol and alcopops on glucose, insulin, and the insulin-like growth factor system in healthy subjects.
BACKGROUND
Alcohol induces disturbances in insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) levels. The aim of the present study was to compare pure ethanol and alcopop effects on total and free IGF-I, IGFBP-1, IGF-I:IGFBP-1 complex, insulin and plasma glucose levels in healthy subjects.


METHODS
Five males and seven females (21-51 years) consumed pure ethanol and alcopops with identical alcohol content in a cross-over design after 6h fasting. Blood samples were obtained for determination of serum ethanol and plasma glucose at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min. Serum total and free IGF-I, IGFBP-1, IGF-I:IGFBP-1 complex, and insulin were measured at 0, 60 and 180 min.


RESULTS
Area under the curve for serum ethanol concentration was significantly less following alcopop compared to pure ethanol (1124+/-201 vs. 1691+/-359 mmol/Lh, P<0.01). Serum insulin and glucose levels were unchanged by ethanol while alcopop intake was followed by a transient increase in glucose and insulin levels (P<0.05). Pure ethanol and alcopop reduced free IGF-I levels by the end of the study period (P=0.05). IGFBP-1 and the IGF-I:IGFBP-1 complex increased following ethanol intake (P<0.05) while only a small transient IGFBP-1 increase was observed following alcopop intake. No change in total IGF-I was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Both drinks resulted in reduced free IGF-I levels, however, only pure ethanol increased IGFBP-1 and the IGF-I:IGFBP-1 complex. Alcopop intake was associated with a transient increase in IGFBP-1 and unchanged IGF-I:IGFBP-1 complex levels probably due to marked changes in insulin and glucose levels.
Grønbaek
H
H
Medical Department V (Hepatology and Gastroenterology), Aarhus University Hospital, Norrebrogade 44, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. henning.gronbaek@dadlnet.dk
Flyvbjerg
A
A
Winding
P
P
Frystyk
J
J
Hey
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; C032231:IGFBP1 protein, human; D007328:Insulin; D018970:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D000431:Ethanol; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I