title: The interplay between lipoprotein phenotypes, adiponectin, and alcohol consumption.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lipoproteins are involved in the pathophysiology of several metabolic diseases. Here we focus on the interplay between lipoprotein metabolism and adiponectin with the extension of alcohol intake.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-three low-to-moderate and 80 heavy alcohol drinkers were studied. Plasma adiponectin, other biochemical and extensive lipoprotein data were measured. Self-organizing maps were applied to characterize lipoprotein phenotypes and their interrelationships with biochemical measures and alcohol consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alcohol consumption and plasma adiponectin had a strong positive association. Heavy alcohol consumption was associated with decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Nevertheless, two distinct lipoprotein phenotypes were identified, one with elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and decreased very-low-density lipoprotein triglycerides (VLDL-TG) together with low prevalence of metabolic syndrome, and the other vice versa. The HDL particles were enlarged in both phenotypes related to the heavy drinkers. The low-to-moderate alcohol drinkers were characterized with high LDL-C and C-enriched LDL particles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The analyses per se illustrated the multi-faceted and non-linear nature of lipoprotein metabolism. The heavy alcohol drinkers were characterized either by an anti-atherogenic lipoprotein phenotype (with also the highest adiponectin concentrations) or by a phenotype with pro-atherogenic and metabolic syndrome-like features. Clinically this underlines the need to distinguish the differing individual risk for lipid-related metabolic disturbances also in heavy alcohol drinkers.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Biocenter Oulu and Clinical Research Center, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
authors.forename: Sanna M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kuusisto
authors.forename: Tomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Peltola
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laitinen
authors.forename: Linda S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Kumpula
authors.forename: Ville-Petteri
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Mäkinen
authors.forename: Tuire
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Salonurmi
authors.forename: Pirjo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hedberg
authors.forename: Matti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jauhiainen
authors.forename: Markku J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Savolainen
authors.forename: Minna L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Hannuksela
authors.forename: Mika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ala-Korpela
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D008074:Lipoproteins